title: Analysis of mixed biofilm (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) by laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
abstract: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are ubiquitous pathogens often found together in polymicrobial, biofilm-associated infections. This study is the first to use laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LAESI-MS) to rapidly study bacteria within a mixed biofilm. Fast, direct, non-invasive LAESI-MS analysis of biofilm could significantly accelerate biofilm studies and provide previously unavailable information on both biofilm composition and the effects of antibiofilm treatment. LAESI-MS was applied directly to a polymicrobial biofilm and analyzed with respect to whether P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were co-localized or self-segregated within the mixed biofilm. LAESI-MS was also used to analyze ions following LL-37 antimicrobial peptide treatment of the biofilm. This ambient ionization method holds promise for future biofilm studies. The use of this innovative technique has profound implications for the study of biofilms, as LAESI-MS eliminates the need for lengthy and disruptive sample preparation while permitting rapid analysis of unfixed and wet biofilms.
authors: a School of Systems Biology and National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases , George Mason University , Manassas , VA , USA.
authors: Scott N
authors: SN
authors: Dean
authors: Callee
authors: C
authors: Walsh
authors: Haddon
authors: H
authors: Goodman
authors: Monique L
authors: ML
authors: van Hoek
mesh_terms: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000254:growth & development*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development*; D054804:Cathelicidins
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D054804:Cathelicidins
keywords: anti-biofilm; antimicrobial peptide; bacteria; biofilm; laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry; mass spectrometry