Enterococcus Faecalis Biofilm. Formation and Development in Vitro Observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy.
Biofilm produced by Enterococcus faecalis isolated from root canals was detected by growing it on microplates and using 10% crystal violet stain, elution with alcohol and three procedures: no fixation, heat fixation and 10% formaldehyde fixation. The biofilm was evaluated using a Versamax Microplate Reader (USA). Twenty sterile root portions were incubated in TS broth with E. faecalis (108) for 48 hours, 4, 7, 14 and 30 days, after which they were processed and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Significantly more biofilm was found on the microplates for formaldehyde fixation than for heat fixation or no fixation (ANOVA p<0.0001). SEM showed E. faecalis growth at all times and biofilm development as from 14 days' incubation. Fixation with 10% formaldehyde was the most appropriate technique for detecting E. faecalis biofilm development on microplates. SEM confirmed biofilm formation after 14 days incubation.
Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, National University of Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. maritabulacio@hotmail.com.
María de Los Á
Mde L
Bulacio
Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, National University of Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.
Lucas R
LR
Galván
Department of Microbiology, School of Biochemistry, National University of Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.
Cristina
C
Gaudioso
Department of Microbiology, School of Biochemistry, National University of Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.
Rosa
R
Cangemi
Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, National University of Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.
Marta I
MI
Erimbaue
D018441:Biofilms; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Enterococcus faecalis; biofilm; scanning electron microscopy