title: Comparison of chemical dehydration and critical point drying for the stabilization and visualization of aging biofilm present on interior surfaces of PVC distribution pipe.
abstract: In this study, fixation of attached glycocalyx on the interior surfaces of polyvinyl chloride distribution pipe remnants was compared with and without ruthenium red/osmium tetroxide and, in the final preparatory phase, with chemical dehydration and critical point drying. SEM examination of interior surface of the polyvinyl chloride pipe showed varying concentrations of adherent bacteria, depending on the preparatory technique used. It was concluded that using a combination of ruthenium red/osmium tetroxide and critical point drying is the optimum method for visually demonstrating aging biofilm on the interior surface of contaminated polyvinyl chloride pipe.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Environment Laboratory Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Favero
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003890:Desiccation; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009993:Osmium Tetroxide; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012430:Ruthenium Red; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D012430:Ruthenium Red; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D009993:Osmium Tetroxide