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Structural analysis of biofilm formation by rapidly and slowly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria
Citation:
WILLIAMS, M. M., M. A. Yakrus, M. J. Arduino, R. C. Cooksey, C. Crane, S. Banerjeel, E. D. HILBORN, AND R. Donlan. Structural analysis of biofilm formation by rapidly and slowly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria. APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC, 75(7):2091-2098, (2009).
Impact/Purpose:
research results
Description:
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) such as M. abscessus, M. mucogenicum, M. chelonae and M. fortuitum, implicated in healthcare-associated infections, are often isolated from potable water supplies as part of the microbial flora. To understand factors that influence growth in their environmental source, clinical RGM and slowly growing Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) isolates were grown as biofilm in a laboratory batch system. High and low nutrient levels were compared, as well as stainless steel and polycarbonate surfaces. Biofilm growth was measured after 72 hours incubation by enumeration of bacteria from disrupted biofilms and by direct quantitative image analysis of biofilm microcolony structure. RGM biofilm development was influenced more by nutrient level than substrate material, though both affected biofilm growth for most of the isolates tested. Microcolony structure revealed that RGM develop several different biofilm structures in high nutrient growth conditions, including pillars of various shapes (M. abscessus, M. fortuitum) and extensive cording (M. abscessus and M. chelonae). Although a slowly growing species in the laboratory, a clinical isolate of M. avium developed more culturable biofilm in potable water in 72 hours than any of the ten RGM examined. This indicates that M. avium is better adapted for growth in potable water systems than in laboratory incubation conditions, and suggests some advantage that MAC has over RGM in low nutrient environments.
