In vitro Actinomyces israelii biofilm development on IUD copper surfaces.
BACKGROUND
Female pelvic actinomycosis may involve fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus and bladder. This condition is often associated with the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs), vaginal pessaries and/or tampons. The predominant causative agent of human actinomycosis is Actinomyces israelii, which has been found on copper IUDs retrieved from patients.


METHODS
In this work, a biofilm of A. israelii was developed in vitro on copper surfaces immersed in a simulated uterine fluid under anaerobic conditions. The biofilm was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray and atomic force microscopy.


RESULTS
The capacity of A. israelii to develop a biofilm over copper surfaces in synthetic media was demonstrated. SEM micrographies illustrate the exopolysaccharides production and bacterial distribution.


CONCLUSIONS
A. israelii was able to attach and grow in synthetic intrauterine media and to present on the copper surface is likely due to the production of biofilm.
Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology and Biofilms, Engineering Institute, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. monica@iing.mxl.uabc.mx
Mónica
M
Carrillo
Benjamín
B
Valdez
Lidia
L
Vargas
Lydia
L
Alvarez
Miguel
M
Schorr
Roumen
R
Zlatev
Margarita
M
Stoytcheva
D000190:Actinomyces / Q000254:growth & development*; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000382:microbiology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper / Q000382:microbiology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology