title: Growth in catheter biofilms and antibiotic resistance of Mycobacterium avium.
abstract: Cells of Mycobacterium avium strain A5 adhered to plasticized polyvinyl chloride catheter tubing and grew at low nutrient concentration, consistent with reports of catheter-associated M. avium infection. Starting with initial cell densities of 1-2x10(6) c.f.u. ml-1, biofilms of approximately 350 c.f.u. cm-2 formed within 24 h at room temperature. Growth rates of cells in biofilms were exponential and equal to 2.45 days doubling time. Rates were exponential for 1-2 weeks incubation and reached cell densities of 6.5x10(4) c.f.u. cm-2 by 4 weeks. Cells grown in catheter biofilms were significantly more resistant to clarithromycin and rifamycin than cells grown in suspension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Falkinham
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015269:Mycobacterium avium Complex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D012293:Rifampin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D017291:Clarithromycin; D012293:Rifampin