NIAID grant K22AI081748.

1. The Drip Flow Biofilm Reactor
<ol>
<li>The drip flow biofilm reactor (available from Biosurface Technologies or custom designed versions can usually be made by university machine shops, see Figure 1) is assembled and autoclaved. Assembly involves affixing coupons in chambers and securing chamber lids. The chamber, along with biofilm medium (tryptic soy broth 2 grams/L and glucose 2 grams/L), and influent nutrient tubing are sterilized by autoclaving.</li>
<li>Inoculation of the drip flow reactor is preformed by placing the reactor on a flat surface, clamping the effluent tubing lines, filling each chamber with 10 mL tryptic soy broth and adding 10 &mu;L of a S. aureus culture grown overnight in tryptic soy broth. The inoculated reactor is then place in a 37&deg;C incubator for 18 hours.</li>
<li>After 18 hours of incubation, the effluent tubing is unclamped and the reactor is placed on a wooden block cut to a 10&deg; angle.</li>
<li>Aseptically connect the influent nutrient tubing to the bottle containing the continuous flow nutrient broth. Feed the tubing line through the pump and prime the tubes by running the pump at a maximum speed (will vary depending on pump model).</li>
<li>Once the influent tubing is primed stop the pump and attach connect needles (22 gauge, 1 inch) to the end of each tube. Wipe the chamber inlet stopper with an ethanol wipe and aseptically insert the needles through the inlet stopper.</li>
<li>Turn on the pump and allow the media to slowly drip (flow rate ~125 &mu;L/minute) over the coupons. The media should flow downward along the coupon from the inlet stopper port to the effluent port. Operate the reactor in continuous flow for 2-5 days (depending on the application), occasionally checking the reactor for proper drainage.</li>
<li>To harvest the drip flow reactor biofilms, stop the pump and carefully remove the needles from the reactor. The reactor can then be placed on a flat surface and the coupons can be aseptically removed using sterile forceps. If microscopy is desired, the coupons can now be processed accordingly (Figure 2B is a scanning electron micrograph of a S. aureus biofilm grown in a drip biofilm reactor). If quantification of the biofilm biomass or physiology studies are the goal of the study, the biofilm can be removed from the coupon using a cell scraper. While holding the coupons with forceps, gently scrape the biofilm off the coupon into a conical tube containing phosphate buffered saline using a cell scraper. Note: to quantify the colony forming units in the biofilms, it is necessary to homogenize the harvested biofilms with a tissue homogenizer to disaggregate clumps and form a homogenous suspension. Various models of tissue homogenizers are suitable for this application. We utilize a Fisher Scientific Tissuemiser Homogenizer (product # 15-338-420) at full speed for 1 minute to homogenize biofilm samples. Failure to homogenize the biofilm will result in an underestimation of the colony forming units present in the sample.</li>
</ol>
2. The Rotating Disk Biofilm Reactor
<ol>
<li>The rotating disk biofilm reactor (available from available from Biosurface Technologies or can be custom made, see Figure 3) is assembled and autoclaved. Assemble the reactor by first place the spinning disk coupons into the slots of the spinning disc and placing it into a 1-liter glass beaker with an overflow port. A number 15-rubber stopper with holes drilled in it to allow media flow and aeration is used as the reactor cap. The reactor, biofilm media (tryptic soy broth 2 g/L and glucose 2 g/L), and inlet tubing are then sterilized by autoclaving.</li>
<li>The rotating disk biofilm reactor is inoculated by placing 250 mLs of sterile medium into the reactor, and adding 0.5 mL of an overnight S. aureus culture grown in tryptic soy broth. The reactor is then placed on a stir plate set to 250 rpm and incubated overnight at the desired temperature.</li>
<li>After 16 hours of incubation connect the inlet tubing to the port on medium reservoir and connect it to the peristaltic pump. The pump is then turn on and flow set to ~0.25 mL/min (flow can be altered depending on the growth rate desired).</li>
<li>After 24 hours stop the reactor and aseptically remove the disc without touching the biofilm coupons. Remove the coupons using sterile forceps and dip each one into phosphate buffered saline to remove any loosely attached bacteria.</li>
<li>For antimicrobial compound testing, the chips can be placed into individual wells of a 96 well plate containing compounds of interest. After incubation, chips are transferred into 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tubes containing 1 mL phosphate buffer saline and homogenized with a tissue homogenizer to disperse the intact biofilm.</li>
<li>Cells are then serial diluted and plated onto nutrient agar medium to determine viable colony forming units.</li>
<li>Note: many variations can be made on the above protocol. For example, spinning disk coupons can be coated with or made out of potential anti-biofilm compounds to test efficacy. Biofilm dispersants can also be evaluated be incubating coupons in dispersant compounds and quantifying bacteria attached versus detached.</li>
</ol>	 
3. Representative Results
An example of a set up drip flow reactor is shown if Figure 1. After three days of flow copious amounts of biofilm will accumulate on the coupon surface, Figure 2A. The total biomass will vary depending on bacterial strains and precise growth conditions. A scanning electron micrograph of a S. aureus biofilm grown in the drip flow reactor is shown in Figure 2B.
A rotating disk reactor is shown in figure 3A. The protocol described can be adapted to the specific requirements of generally any microorganism capable of forming a biofilm. Figure 3B shows the spinning disc with 18 plastic disks affixed. These disk-grown biofilms are particularly well suited for antimicrobial testing and yield highly reproducible results11.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2470/2470fig1.jpg" alt="Figure 1" /> 
Figure 1. The drip flow reactor setup. Important components are labeled.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2470/2470fig2.jpg" alt="Figure 2" /> 
Figure 2. Example of a drip flow S. aureus biofilm. A) This biofilm was grown for three days following the protocol described. Lids from the first two chambers of the reactor are removed to show the yellow S. aureus biofilm biomass. B) Sacnning electron micrograph of a S. aureus biofilm grown in the drip flow reactor.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2470/2470fig3.jpg" alt="Figure 3" /> 
Figure 3. The rotating disk reactor. A) Example of a running spinning disk reactor. Key component are labeled. B) Close up view of a spinning disk.

<ol>
	<li>Costerton, J. W., Lewandowski, Z., Caldwell, D. E., Korber, D. R., Lappin-Scott, H. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microbial+Biofilms.">Microbial Biofilms.</a> Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 49, 711-745 (1995).</li><li>Costerton, J. W., Cheng, K. J., Gessey, G. G., Ladd, T. I., Nickel, J. C., Dasgupta, M., Marrie, T. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bacterial+biofilms+in+nature+and+disease.">Bacterial biofilms in nature and disease.</a> Ann. Rev. Microbiol. 41, 435-464 (1987).</li><li>O'Toole, G. A., Kolter, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Initiation+of+biofilm+formation+in+Pseudomonas+fluorescens+WCS365+proceeds+via+multiple,+convergent+signaling+pathways:+a+genetic+analysis.">Initiation of biofilm formation in Pseudomonas fluorescens WCS365 proceeds via multiple, convergent signaling pathways: a genetic analysis.</a> Mol. Micro. 28, 449-461 (2002).</li><li>Boles, B. R., Horswill, A. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Agr-mediated+dispersal+of+Staphylococcus+aureus+biofilms.">Agr-mediated dispersal of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.</a> PLoS Pathog. 4, e1000052-e1000052 (2008).</li><li>Goeres, D. M., Haamilton, M. A., Beck, N. A., Buckingham-Meyer, K., Hilyard, J., Loetterle, L. A., Walker, D. K., Stewart, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+method+for+growing+a+biofilm+under+low+shear+at+the+air-liquid+interface+using+the+drip+flow+biofilm+reactor.">A method for growing a biofilm under low shear at the air-liquid interface using the drip flow biofilm reactor.</a> Nature Protocols. 4, 783-788 (2009).</li><li>Fu, W., Forster, T., Mayer, O., Curtin, J. J., Lehman, S. M., Donlan, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bacteriophage+cocktail+for+the+prevention+of+biofilm+formation+by+Pseudomonas+aeruginosa+on+catheters+in+an+in+vitro+model+system.">Bacteriophage cocktail for the prevention of biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa on catheters in an in vitro model system.</a> Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 54, 397-404 (2010).</li><li>Xu, K. D., McFeters, G. A., Stewart, P. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biofilm+resistance+to+antimicrobial+agents.">Biofilm resistance to antimicrobial agents.</a> Microbiology. 146, 547-549 (2000).</li><li>Xu, K. D., Stewart, P. S., Xia, F., Huang, C. T., McFeters, G. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatial+physiological+heterogeneity+in+Pseudomonas+aeruginosa+biofilm+is+determined+by+oxygen+availability.">Spatial physiological heterogeneity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm is determined by oxygen availability.</a> Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64, 4035-4039 (1998).</li><li>Boles, B. R., Thoendel, M., Singh, P. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Self-generated+diversity+produces+"insurance+effects"+in+biofilm+communities.">Self-generated diversity produces "insurance effects" in biofilm communities.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 101, 16630-16635 (2004).</li><li>Pitts, B., Willse, A., McFeters, G. A., Hamilton, M. A., Zelver, N., Stewart, P. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+repeatable+laboratory+method+for+testing+the+efficacy+of+biocides+against+toilet+bowl+biofilms.">A repeatable laboratory method for testing the efficacy of biocides against toilet bowl biofilms.</a> J. Appl. Microbiol. 91, 117-11 (2001).</li><li>Boles, B. R., Thoendel, M., Singh, P. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rhamnolipids+mediate+detachment+of+Pseudomonas+aeruginosa+from+biofilms.">Rhamnolipids mediate detachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from biofilms.</a> Mol. Microbiol. 57, 1210-1223 (2005).</li><li>Hentzer, M., Teitzel, G. M., Balzer, G. J., Heydorn, A., Molin, S., Givskov, M., Parsek, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alginate+overproduction+affects+Pseudomonas+aeruginosa+biofilm+structure+and+function.">Alginate overproduction affects Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm structure and function.</a> J. Bacteriol. 183, 5395-5401 (2001).</li><li>Lin, H. Y., Chen, C. T., Huang, C. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+merocyanine+540+for+photodynamic+inactivation+of+Staphylococcus+aureus+planktonic+and+biofilm+cells.">Use of merocyanine 540 for photodynamic inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus planktonic and biofilm cells.</a> Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70, 6453-6458 (2004).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

Biofilms grown in different reactors will often have different characteristics and each reactor has different applications. In this work, we describe the use of two biofilm reactors: a drip flow biofilm reactor and a rotating disk reactor. Drip flow reactors are useful for growing low shear biofilms at an air-liquid interface and are adaptable to a variety of conditions. We find them extremely convenient for studies where a large amount of biofilm biomass is desirable. This setup can easily be adapted for studies invo...

Erratum: The Use of Drip Flow and Rotating Disk Reactors for Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Analysis

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		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
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		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
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<td>Drip Flow Reactors</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>BioSurface Technologies Corporation</td>
<td>DFR 110</td>
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<td>Rotating Disk Reactors</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>BioSurface Technologies Corporation</td>
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the use of drip flow and rotating disk reactors for staphylococcus aureus biofilm analysis

Most microbes in nature are thought to exist as surface-associated communities in biofilms.1 Bacterial biofilms are encased within a matrix and attached to a surface.2 Biofilm formation and development are commonly studied in the laboratory using batch systems such as microtiter plates or flow systems, such as flow-cells. These methodologies are useful for screening mutant and chemical libraries (microtiter plates)3 or growing biofilms for visualization (flow cells)4. Here we present detailed protocols for growing Staphylococcus aureus in two additional types of flow system biofilms: the drip flow biofilm reactor and the rotating disk biofilm reactor.
Drip flow biofilm reactors are designed for the study of biofilms grown under low shear conditions.5 The drip flow reactor consists of four parallel test channels, each capable of holding one standard glass microscope slide sized coupon, or a length of catheter or stint. The drip flow reactor is ideal for microsensor monitoring, general biofilm studies, biofilm cryosectioning samples, high biomass production, medical material evaluations, and indwelling medical device testing.6,7,8,9
The rotating disk reactor consists of a teflon disk containing recesses for removable coupons.10 The removable coupons can by made from any machinable material. The bottom of the rotating disk contains a bar magnet to allow disk rotation to create liquid surface shear across surface-flush coupons. The entire disk containing 18 coupons is placed in a 1000 mL glass side-arm reactor vessel. A liquid growth media is circulated through the vessel while the disk is rotated by a magnetic stirrer. The coupons are removed from the reactor vessel and then scraped to collect the biofilm sample for further study or microscopy imaging. Rotating disc reactors are designed for laboratory evaluations of biocide efficacy, biofilm removal, and performance of anti-fouling materials.9,11,12,13

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about The Use of Drip Flow and Rotating Disk Reactors for Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Analysis at JoVE.com

The Use of Drip Flow and Rotating Disk Reactors for Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Analysis

Protocols for utilizing open system flow biofilms with drip flow reactors and rotating disk reactors are presented in detail.

The Use of Drip Flow and Rotating Disk Reactors for Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Analysis

Most microbes in nature are thought to exist as surface-associated communities in biofilms.1  Bacterial biofilms are encased within a matrix and attached ...

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17.0K Views.  University of Michigan. Protocols for utilizing open system flow biofilms with drip flow reactors and rotating disk reactors are presented in detail.

Video: The Use of Drip Flow and Rotating Disk Reactors for Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Analysis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Biofilm in Flow Cells

Many microbial cells have the ability to form sessile microbial communities defined as biofilms that have altered physiological and pathological properties compared to free living microorganisms. Biofilms in nature are often difficult to investigate and reside under poorly defined conditions1. Using a transparent substratum it is possible to device a system where simple biofilms can be examined in a non-destructive way in real-time: here we demonstrate the assembly and operation of a flow cell model system, for in vitro 3D studies of microbial biofilms generating high reproducibility under well-defined conditions2,3.
The system consists of a flow cell that serves as growth chamber for the biofilm. The flow cell is supplied with nutrients and oxygen from a medium flask via a peristaltic pump and spent medium is collected in a waste container. This construction of the flow system allows a continuous supply of nutrients and administration of e.g. antibiotics with minimal disturbance of the cells grown in the flow chamber. Moreover, the flow conditions within the flow cell allow studies of biofilm exposed to shear stress. A bubble trapping device confines air bubbles from the tubing which otherwise could disrupt the biofilm structure in the flow cell.
The flow cell system is compatible with Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) and can thereby provide highly detailed 3D information about developing microbial biofilms. Cells in the biofilm can be labeled with fluorescent probes or proteins compatible with CLSM analysis. This enables online visualization and allows investigation of niches in the developing biofilm. Microbial interrelationship, investigation of antimicrobial agents or the expression of specific genes, are of the many experimental setups that can be investigated in the flow cell system.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Biofilm in Flow Cells

Protocol describing the application of a flow cell system for growing and analyzing microbial biofilms for Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM).

Many microbial cells have the ability to form sessile microbial communities defined as biofilms that have altered physiological and pathological ...

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

MRSA is a worldwide threat to public health, and MRSA skin and soft-tissue infections now account for more than half of all soft-tissue infections in the United States. Among soft-tissue infections, myositis, pyomyositis, and necrotizing fasciitis have been increasingly reported in association with MRSA arising from the community. To understand the interplay between MRSA and host immunity leading to more severe infection, the availability of animal models is critical, permitting the study of host and bacterial factors. Several infection models have been introduced to assess the pathogenesis of S. aureus during superficial skin infection. Here, we describe a subcutaneous infection model that examines the skin, subcutaneous, and muscle pathologies.

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA

Murine skin and soft tissue infection model is utilized for assessing the virulence function of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the host immunological responses. Here, we presented a subcutaneous infection model for skin and soft tissue infection.

MRSA is a worldwide threat to public health, and MRSA skin and soft-tissue infections now account for more than half of all soft-tissue infections in the ...

Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Rat

Endovascular infections, including endocarditis, are life-threatening infectious syndromes1-3. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common world-wide cause of such syndromes with unacceptably high morbidity and mortality even with appropriate antimicrobial agent treatments4-6. The increase in infections due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), the high rates of vancomycin clinical treatment failures and growing problems of linezolid and daptomycin resistance have all further complicated the management of patients with such infections, and led to high healthcare costs7, 8. In addition, it should be emphasized that most recent studies with antibiotic treatment outcomes have been based in clinical settings, and thus might well be influenced by host factors varying from patient-to-patient. Therefore, a relevant animal model of endovascular infection in which host factors are similar from animal-to-animal is more crucial to investigate microbial pathogenesis, as well as the efficacy of novel antimicrobial agents. Endocarditis in rat is a well-established experimental animal model that closely approximates human native valve endocarditis. This model has been used to examine the role of particular staphylococcal virulence factors and the efficacy of antibiotic treatment regimens for staphylococcal endocarditis. In this report, we describe the experimental endocarditis model due to MRSA that could be used to investigate bacterial pathogenesis and response to antibiotic treatment.

Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA in Rat

Experimental rat endocarditis model due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus.

Endovascular infections, including endocarditis, are life-threatening infectious syndromes1-3. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common world-wide cause ...

Staphylococcus aureus Growth using Human Hemoglobin as an Iron Source

S. aureus is a pathogenic bacterium that requires iron to carry out vital metabolic functions and cause disease. The most abundant reservoir of iron inside the human host is heme, which is the cofactor of hemoglobin. To acquire iron from hemoglobin, S. aureus utilizes an elaborate system known as the iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) system1. Components of the Isd system first bind host hemoglobin, then extract and import heme, and finally liberate iron from heme in the bacterial cytoplasm2,3. This pathway has been dissected through numerous in vitro studies4-9. Further, the contribution of the Isd system to infection has been repeatedly demonstrated in mouse models8,10-14. Establishing the contribution of the Isd system to hemoglobin-derived iron acquisition and growth has proven to be more challenging. Growth assays using hemoglobin as a sole iron source are complicated by the instability of commercially available hemoglobin, contaminating free iron in the growth medium, and toxicity associated with iron chelators. Here we present a method that overcomes these limitations. High quality hemoglobin is prepared from fresh blood and is stored in liquid nitrogen. Purified hemoglobin is supplemented into iron-deplete medium mimicking the iron-poor environment encountered by pathogens inside the vertebrate host. By starving S. aureus of free iron and supplementing with a minimally manipulated form of hemoglobin we induce growth in a manner that is entirely dependent on the ability to bind hemoglobin, extract heme, pass heme through the bacterial cell envelope and degrade heme in the cytoplasm. This assay will be useful for researchers seeking to elucidate the mechanisms of hemoglobin-/heme-derived iron acquisition in S. aureus and possibly other bacterial pathogens.

Staphylococcus aureus Growth using Human Hemoglobin as an Iron Source

Here we describe a growth assay for Staphylococcus aureus using hemoglobin as the sole source of available nutrient iron. This assay establishes the role of bacterial factors involved in hemoglobin-derived iron acquisition.

S. aureus is a pathogenic bacterium that requires iron to  carry out vital metabolic functions and cause disease. The most abundant  reservoir of iron ...

Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing is a very important molecular tool for understanding the epidemiology and clonal strain relatedness of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), particularly with the emerging outbreaks of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) occurring on a worldwide basis. Traditional PCR typing schemes classify SCCmec by targeting and identifying the individual mec and ccr gene complex types, but require the use of many primer sets and multiple individual PCR experiments. We designed and published a simple multiplex PCR assay for quick-screening of major SCCmec types and subtypes I to V, and later updated it as new sequence information became available. This simple assay targets individual SCCmec types in a single reaction, is easy to interpret and has been extensively used worldwide. However, due to the sophisticated nature of the assay and the large number of primers present in the reaction, there is the potential for difficulties while adapting this assay to individual laboratories. To facilitate the process of establishing a MRSA SCCmec assay, here we demonstrate how to set up our multiplex PCR assay, and discuss some of the vital steps and procedural nuances that make it successful.

Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

We demonstrate a simple multiplex PCR assay for quick-screening and typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) types I-V for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and provide some of the vital steps and procedural nuances that make it successful for adapting this assay to individual laboratories.

Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing  is a very important molecular tool for understanding the epidemiology and  clonal strain ...

Studying Interactions of Staphylococcus aureus with Neutrophils by Flow Cytometry and Time Lapse Microscopy

We present methods to study the effect of phenol soluble modulins (PSMs) and other toxins produced and secreted by Staphylococcus aureus on neutrophils. To study the effects of the PSMs on neutrophils we isolate fresh neutrophils using density gradient centrifugation. These neutrophils are loaded with a dye that fluoresces upon calcium mobilization. The activation of neutrophils by PSMs initiates a rapid and transient increase in the free intracellular calcium concentration. In a flow cytometry experiment this rapid mobilization can be measured by monitoring the fluorescence of a pre-loaded dye that reacts to the increased concentration of free Ca2+. Using this method we can determine the PSM concentration necessary to activate the neutrophil, and measure the effects of specific and general inhibitors of the neutrophil activation.	
	To investigate the expression of the PSMs in the intracellular space, we have constructed reporter fusions of the promoter of the PSM&alpha; operon to GFP. When these reporter strains of S. aureus are phagocytosed by neutrophils, the induction of expression can be observed using fluorescence microscopy.

Studying Interactions of Staphylococcus aureus with Neutrophils by Flow Cytometry and Time Lapse Microscopy

We present methods to study the effect of PSMs and other toxins secreted by Staphylococcus aureus on neutrophils using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy.

We present methods to study the effect of phenol soluble modulins (PSMs)  and other toxins produced and secreted by Staphylococcus  aureus on neutrophils. ...

Targeting Biofilm Associated Staphylococcus aureus Using Resazurin Based Drug-susceptibility Assay

Most pathogenic bacteria are able to form biofilms during infection, but due to the difficulty of manipulating and assessing biofilms, the vast majority of laboratory work is conducted with planktonic cells. Here, we describe a peg plate biofilm assay as performed with Staphylococcus aureus. Bacterial biofilms are grown on pegs attached to a 96-well microtiter plate lid, washed through gentle submersion in buffer, and placed in a drug challenge plate. After subsequent incubation they are again washed and moved to a final recovery plate, in which the fluorescent dye resazurin serves as a viability indicator. This assay offers greatly increased ease-of-use, reliability, and reproducibility, as well as a wealth of data when conducted as a kinetic read. Moreover, this assay can be adapted to a medium-throughput drug screening approach by which an endpoint fluorescent readout is taken instead, offering a path for drug discovery efforts.

Targeting Biofilm Associated Staphylococcus aureus Using Resazurin Based Drug-susceptibility Assay

Most bacterial infections produce a biofilm. By virtue of their environment, biofilm associated bacteria are often phenotypically drug resistant. Novel antibacterial molecules that kill bacteria in biofilms are thus a high priority. We establish an assay to quickly screen for antimicrobial compounds that are effective at eradicating biofilms.

Most pathogenic bacteria are able to form biofilms during infection, but due to the difficulty of manipulating and assessing biofilms, the vast majority ...

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)

The ribosomal spacer PCR (RS-PCR) is a highly resolving and robust genotyping method for S. aureus that allows a high throughput at moderate costs and is, therefore, suitable to be used for routine purposes. For best resolution, data evaluation and data management, a miniaturized electrophoresis system is required. Together with such an electrophoresis system and the in-house developed software (freely available here) assignment of the pattern of bands to a genotype is standardized and straight forward. DNA extraction is simple (boiling prep), setting-up of the reactions is easy and they can be run on any standard PCR machine. PCR cycling is common except prolonged ramping and elongation times. Compared to spa typing and Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST), RS-PCR does not require DNA sequencing what simplifies the analysis considerably and allows a high throughput. Furthermore, the resolution for bovine strains of S. aureus is at least as good as spa typing and better than MLST or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The RS-PCR data base includes presently a total of 141 genotypes and variants. The method is highly associated with the virulence gene pattern, contagiosity and pathogenicity of S. aureus strains involved in bovine mastitis. S. aureus genotype B (GTB) is contagious and causes herds problems causing large costs in the Switzerland and other European countries. All the other genotypes observed in Switzerland infect individual cows and quarters. Genotyping by RS-PCR allows the reliable prediction of the epidemiological and the pathogenic potential of S. aureus involved in bovine intramammary infection (IMI), two key factors for clinical veterinary medicine. Because of these beneficial properties together with moderate costs and a high sample throughput the goal of this publication is to give a detailed, step-by-step protocol for easily establishing and running RS-PCR for genotyping S. aureus in other laboratories.

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR RS-PCR

Here, ribosomal spacer PCR (RS-PCR) is used together with a miniaturized electrophoresis system as a fast and high resolution method for genotyping S. aureus at moderate costs allowing a high throughput.

The ribosomal spacer PCR (RS-PCR) is a highly resolving and robust genotyping method for S. aureus that allows a high throughput at moderate costs and is, ...

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

One important feature of the major opportunistic human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is its extraordinary ability to rapidly acquire resistance to antibiotics. Genomic studies reveal that S. aureus carries many virulence and resistance genes located in mobile genetic elements, suggesting that horizontal gene transfer (HGT) plays a critical role in S. aureus evolution. However, a full and detailed description of the methodology used to study HGT in S. aureus is still lacking, especially regarding natural transformation, which has been recently reported in this bacterium. This work describes three protocols that are useful for the in vitro investigation of HGT in S. aureus: conjugation, phage transduction, and natural transformation. To this aim, the cfr gene (chloramphenicol/florfenicol resistance), which confers the Phenicols, Lincosamides, Oxazolidinones, Pleuromutilins, and Streptogramin A (PhLOPSA)-resistance phenotype, was used. Understanding the mechanisms through which S. aureus transfers genetic materials to other strains is essential to comprehending the rapid acquisition of resistance and helps to clarify the modes of dissemination reported in surveillance programs or to further predict the spreading mode in the future.

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

We describe here three different protocols for the in vitro investigation of conjugation, transduction, and natural transformation in Staphylococcus aureus.

One important feature of the major opportunistic human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is its extraordinary ability to rapidly acquire resistance to ...

Characterization of Human Monocyte Subsets by Whole Blood Flow Cytometry Analysis

Monocytes are key contributors in various inflammatory disorders and alterations to these cells, including their subset proportions and functions, can have pathological significance. An ideal method for examining alterations to monocytes is whole blood flow cytometry as the minimal handling of samples by this method limits artifactual cell activation. However, many different approaches are taken to gate the monocyte subsets leading to inconsistent identification of the subsets between studies. Here we demonstrate a method using whole blood flow cytometry to identify and characterize human monocyte subsets (classical, intermediate, and non-classical). We outline how to prepare the blood samples for flow cytometry, gate the subsets (ensure contaminating cells have been removed), and determine monocyte subset expression of surface markers &#8212; in this example M1 and M2 markers. This protocol can be extended to other studies that require a standard gating method for assessing monocyte subset proportions and monocyte subset expression of other functional markers.

Here we present a protocol for characterizing monocyte subsets by whole blood flow cytometry. This includes outlining how to gate the subsets and assess their expression of surface markers and giving an example of the assessment of the expression of M1 (inflammatory) and M2 markers (anti-inflammatory).

Monocytes are key contributors in various inflammatory disorders and alterations to these cells, including their subset proportions and functions, can ...