A rapid, non-destructive method for the determination of Staphylococcus epidermidis adhesion to surfaces using quartz crystal resonant sensor technology.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the use of quartz crystal resonant sensor (QCRS) technology to determine the adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis to fibronectin-coated surfaces.


RESULTS
QCRS sensors (14 MHz) with 4 mm gold electrodes were coated with fibronectin and exposed for 15 min to suspensions of Staph. epidermidis ranging in concentration from 1 x 10(2) to 1 x 10(6) cfu ml(-1). Changes in resonant frequency were recorded and showed a linear relationship with the logarithm of cell concentration over the range tested.


CONCLUSIONS
QCRS technology was shown to be a rapid, sensitive and non-destructive method for measuring the adhesion of bacteria to surfaces.


CONCLUSIONS
This report demonstrates that QCRS technology has the potential to be used for a range of applications requiring measurement of bacteria on surfaces. In particular, it may be used for the real-time monitoring of bacterial biofilm formation.
Pavey
K D
KD
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Cockcroft Building, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK. K.D.Pavey@bton.ac.uk
Barnes
L M
LM
Hanlon
G W
GW
Olliff
C J
CJ
Ali
Z
Z
Paul
F
F
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011485:Protein Binding; D011791:Quartz; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology*
D005353:Fibronectins; D011791:Quartz