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Growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Biofilms
Published on: February 15, 2012
Growth in catheter biofilms and antibiotic resistance of Mycobacterium avium
1Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Abstract:
Cells of Mycobacterium avium strain A5 adhered to plasticized polyvinyl chloride catheter tubing and grew at low nutrient concentration, consistent with reports of catheter-associated M. avium infection. Starting with initial cell densities of 1-2x10(6) c.f.u. ml-1, biofilms of approximately 350 c.f.u. cm-2 formed within 24 h at room temperature. Growth rates of cells in biofilms were exponential and equal to 2.45 days doubling time. Rates were exponential for 1-2 weeks incubation and reached cell densities of 6.5x10(4) c.f.u. cm-2 by 4 weeks. Cells grown in catheter biofilms were significantly more resistant to clarithromycin and rifamycin than cells grown in suspension.
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