Quantification, Viability Assessment, and Visualization Strategies for Acinetobacter Biofilms

Summary

This protocol describes the preparation of the inoculum, the biofilm quantification on microtiter plates using crystal violet dye, the viable count in biofilms, and the visualization of biofilms of Acinetobacter.

Abstract

Acinetobacter causes nosocomial infections and its biofilm formation can contribute to the survival on dry surfaces such as hospital environments. Thus, biofilm quantification and visualization are important methods to assess the potential of Acinetobacter strains to cause nosocomial infections. The biofilms forming on the surface of the microplate can be quantified in terms of volume and cell numbers. Biofilm volumes can be quantified by staining using crystal violet, washing, destaining using ethanol, then measuring the solubilized dye using a microplate reader. To quantify the number of cells embedded in the biofilms, the biofilms are scrapped off using cell scrapers, harvested in the saline, vigorously agitated in the presence of glass beads, and spread on Acinetobacter agar. Then, the plates are incubated at 30 °C for 24-42 h. After incubation, the red colonies are enumerated to estimate the number of cells in biofilms. This viable count method can also be useful for counting Acinetobacter cells in mixed-species biofilms. Acinetobacter biofilms can be visualized using fluorescent dyes. A commercially available microplate designed for microscopic analysis is employed to form biofilms. Then, the bottom-surface attached biofilms are stained with SYTO9 and propidium iodide dyes, washed, then visualized with confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Introduction

Acinetobacter is known to cause nosocomial infections, and its human infection, especially in healthcare facilities, is increasingly reported¹. It is widespread in hospitals, healthcare facilities, and food-associated environments^2,3,4. It can survive for a long period in environments including hospital surfaces such as bed rails, bedside tables, the surface of ventilators, and sinks⁴. Such persistence on environmental surfaces may be one of the significant factors contributing to the nosocomial infections of Acinet....

Protocol

1. Preparation of bacterial inoculum

1. Remove the glycerol stock vial stored at -80 °C.
2. Remove the bacterial strain (2-10 µL) from the vial using a sterile pipette tip.
   NOTE: Acinetobacter strains, A. bouvetii (13-1-1), A. junii (13-1-2), A. pittii (13-2-5), A. baumannii (13-2-9), A. radioresistens (20-1), and A. ursingii (24-1) are used in this protocol.
3. Inoculate a commercially available blood .......

Discussion

Using the protocol described, the biofilm formation of Acinetobacter isolates with varying degrees was measured, visualized, and the viable cells in the biofilms were estimated (Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3).

In this protocol, two different temperatures were used, 30 °C for the growth and 25 °C for the biofilm formation of Acinetobacter. 30 °C was used because many stu.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
96-well cell culture plate	SPL	30096	Polystyrene 96-well plate
BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) broth	Merck KGaA	1.10493.0500
Blood Agar Base Plate	KisanBio	MB-B1005-P50	Growth media for Acinetobacter
CHROMagar Acinetobacter	CHROMagar	AC092	Selective plate for Acinetobacter
Crystal violet solution	Sigma-Aldrich	V5265
Filmtracer LIVE/DEAD biofilm viability kit	Invitrogen	L10316	SYTO9 and propidium iodide
Microplate reader	Tecan	Infinite M200 PRO NanoQuant	Biofilm measurement
RBC Glass Plating Beads	RBC	RG001	Glass beads
μ-Plate 96 Well Black	ibidi	89621	Microplate intended for CLSM