Bacteria identification of otitis media with fluorescence spectroscopy.
We have investigated the fluorescence profiles of four common pathogens: S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, M. catarrhalis, and H. influenzae. The steady-state auto fluorescence spectra of bacteria are measured as a function of the incident light from 200 to 700 nm. The spectra for each bacterium are combined into a fluorescence profile or fluorescence finger print. Each bacterium produces a unique in vitro fluorescence profile when measured in a saline suspension. The profiles are reproducible. Suspensions of a bacterial strain, where the identification is not known, can be correctly matched to a small library of previously measured fluorescence profiles using a linear least-squares fitting algorithm. In addition, we have measured the fluorescence and absorption spectrum of the tympanic membrane removed from a chinchilla. The optical properties of the tympanic membrane and the least-squares identification process form precept for a non-invasive, fluorescence based bacterial diagnosis technique to be used in otitis media.
Sorrell
M J
MJ
Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232.
Tribble
J
J
Reinisch
L
L
Werkhaven
J A
JA
Ossoff
R H
RH
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002682:Chinchilla; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014432:Tympanic Membrane