Plume height and surface coverage analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates grown in a CDC biofilm reactor

Abstract

Biofilm formation is a dynamic process that leads to mature communities over time. Despite a general knowledge of biofilm community formation and the resultant limitations of antibiotic therapy, there is a paucity of data describing specific plume heights, surface coverage and rates of maturation. Furthermore, little is published on the effect that the broth medium might have on the degree of biofilm maturation. In this study, three strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (USA300, USA400 and a clinical isolate) were grown in brain heart infusion broth (BHI) or tryptic soy broth (TSB). Following growth, SEM images were captured for 3-D analysis to assess plume height. TSB produced significantly higher plume heights of USA300 and USA400 compared to BHI. Broth type was less influential on the clinical isolate. The data indicate that broth type and time may be important factors to consider when assessing maturation and plume height formation of MRSA biofilms.

Keywords:

• MRSA
• plume height
• biofilm
• stainless steel
• surface coverage
• broth media

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Winston Rudisin for his technical support with images.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Funds to support this work came in part from the Department of Orthopaedics, University of Utah, and the Department of Defense Award #W81XWH-16-2-0037.