Ultrastructural microbiology of infected urinary stone.
Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of an antibiotic-treated infected urinary stone demonstrates a thick bacterial biofilm adhering to the surface of the stone. Cultures of the crushed calculi indicated the viability of the bacteria. Exopolysaccharide secreted by the bacteria develops a matrix or glycocalyx that appears to protect the biofilm-forming sessile bacteria from antibiotics.
D000368:Aged; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000209:etiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications*