Use of an oxonol dye in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy to monitor damage to Staphylococcus aureus cells during colonisation of silver-coated vascular grafts.
The antimicrobial silver-coating of medical prostheses is regarded as a means to reduce the risk of bacterial colonisation after implantation. The effect of a silver-coating of vascular grafts on biofilm formation was assessed in batch cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Total cells in biofilms were analysed by staining with the DNA-binding fluorochrome SYTO 62 and the proportion of damaged cells was quantified with the membrane potential-sensitive dye bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol. Both the extent of biofilm formation and the proportion of viable biofilm cells were significantly diminished on the surface of the silver-coated vascular grafts compared with uncoated controls, probably due to the antimicrobial activity of silver ions released from the silver-coated graft surface.
Department of Aquatic Microbiology, Institute for Interface Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Geibelstrasse 41, 47057 Duisburg, Germany.
Martin
M
Strathmann
Jost
J
Wingender
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001463:Barbiturates; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000382:microbiology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007555:Isoxazoles; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001463:Barbiturates; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007555:Isoxazoles; C052795:bis(1,3-dibutylbarbiturate)trimethine oxonol; D012834:Silver