[Environmental scanning electron microscopy for biofilm detection in tonsils].
OBJECTIVE
To describe an environmental scanning electron microscopic method for the study of biofilms in clinical samples. A comparison with standard scanning electron microscopy is performed.


METHODS
Nine patients with a past history of recurrent tonsillitis underwent tonsillectomy. Samples from each patient were obtained for both conventional and environmental scanning electron microscopy. The tonsils removed from 2 patients with sleep apnoea syndrome were used as controls.


RESULTS
Eight of nine tonsils had biofilms on their surface. Scanning electron microscopy showed accumulations of bacteria covered by fibrillar structures resulting from the sample dehydration process. Environmental scanning electron microscopy provided a view of bacteria embedded in a homogeneous, amorphous substance that was preserved during the examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Environmental scanning electron microscopy permits the imaging of wet systems at different degrees of dehydration. It therefore allows researchers to observe biofilms in their natural hydrated state.
Ramírez-Camacho
Rafael
R
Grupo de Investigación Otológica, Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, España.
González-Tallón
Ana Isabel
AI
Gómez
David
D
Trinidad
Almudena
A
Ibáñez
Andrés
A
García-Berrocal
José Ramón
JR
Verdaguer
José María
JM
González-García
José Angel
JA
San Román
Julio
J
D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018441:Biofilms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery*