Continuous drip flow system to develop biofilm of E. faecalis under anaerobic conditions.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a structurally mature E. faecalis biofilm developed under anaerobic/dynamic conditions in an in vitro system.


METHODS
An experimental device was developed using a continuous drip flow system designed to develop biofilm under anaerobic conditions. The inoculum was replaced every 24 hours with a fresh growth medium for up to 10 days to feed the system. Gram staining was done every 24 hours to control the microorganism purity. Biofilms developed under the system were evaluated under the scanning electron microscope (SEM).


RESULTS
SEM micrographs demonstrated mushroom-shaped structures, corresponding to a mature E. faecalis biofilm. In the mature biofilm bacterial cells are totally encased in a polymeric extracellular matrix.


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed in vitro system model provides an additional useful tool to study the biofilm concept in endodontic microbiology, allowing for a better understanding of persistent root canal infections.
Endodontics Postgraduate Program, Faculty of Dentistry, The Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Manuel Nava 2, 78290 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
Ana Maria
AM
Gonzalez
Endodontics Postgraduate Program, Faculty of Dentistry, The Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Manuel Nava 2, 78290 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
Erika
E
Corpus
Basic Sciences Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, The Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Manuel Nava 2, 78290 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
Amaury
0000-0003-2314-8465
A
Pozos-Guillen
Endodontics Postgraduate Program, Faculty of Dentistry, The Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Manuel Nava 2, 78290 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
Daniel
D
Silva-Herzog
Faculty of Engineering, The Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Manuel Nava 8, 78290 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
Antonio
A
Aragon-Piña
Department of Endodontics and Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, 6222 NE 74th Street, Seattle, 98115 WA, USA.
Nestor
N
Cohenca
D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008954:Models, Biological
D003470:Culture Media