The visualization of biofilms in chronic diabetic foot wounds using routine diagnostic microscopy methods

Oates, Angela; Bowling, Frank L.; Boulton, Andrew J. M.; Bowler, Philip G.; Metcalf, Daniel G.; McBain, Andrew J.

Abstract

Diabetic foot wounds are commonly colonised by taxonomically diverse microbial communities and may additionally be infected with specific pathogens. Since biofilms are demonstrably less susceptible to antimicrobial agents than are planktonic bacteria, and may be present in chronic wounds, there is increasing interest in their aetiological role. In the current investigation, the presence of structured microbial assemblages in chronic diabetic foot wounds is demonstrated using several visualization methods. Debridement samples, collected from the foot wounds of diabetic patients, were histologically sectioned and examined using bright-field, fluorescence, and environmental scanning electron microscopy and assessed by quantitative differential viable counting. All samples (n = 26) harboured bioburdens in excess of 5 log10 CFU/g. Microcolonies were identified in 4/4 samples by all three microscopy methods, although bright-field and fluorescence microscopy were more effective at highlighting putative biofilm morphology than ESEM. Results in this pilot study indicate that bacterial microcolonies and putative biofilm matrix can be visualized in chronic wounds using florescence microscopy and ESEM, but also using the simple Gram stain.

Citation

Oates, A., Bowling, F. L., Boulton, A. J. M., Bowler, P. G., Metcalf, D. G., & McBain, A. J. (2014). The visualization of biofilms in chronic diabetic foot wounds using routine diagnostic microscopy methods. Journal of Diabetes Research, 2014, Article 153586. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/153586

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 14, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Apr 15, 2014
• Publication Date: 2014
• Deposit Date: Jan 15, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 16, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Diabetes Research
• Print ISSN: 2314-6745
• Publisher: Hindawi
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2014
• Article Number: 153586
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/153586
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1215828
• Publisher URL: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jdr/2014/153586/
• Contract Date: Jan 15, 2019