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Updated: May 28, 2026
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In Vitro Assay of Bacterial Adhesion onto Mammalian Epithelial Cells
Published on: May 16, 2011
Optimization of a Staphylococcus aureus adhesion assay for equine corneocytes
Gregory C Griffeth1, Nancy Callori, Shelley C Rankin
1Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Veterinary Dermatology
|October 14, 2011
Summary
This study optimized an assay to measure bacterial adhesion to horse skin cells. The best conditions for Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) adhesion were identified for future research.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes significant skin infections in humans and animals.
- Strain USA 500 of MRSA is particularly associated with infections in horses and their handlers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize an assay for comparing the adherence of different Staphylococcus aureus strains to equine corneocytes.
- To establish optimal conditions for bacterial adhesion assays.
Main Methods:
- Equine corneocytes were collected from 10 healthy horses.
- Corneocytes were incubated with Staphylococcus aureus at varying concentrations (10^7, 10^8, 10^9 CFU/mL) and durations (45, 90, 180 min).
- Image processing software analyzed bacterial adhesion, distinguishing bacteria from melanin using color space analysis.
Main Results:
- Optimal bacterial adhesion occurred at a concentration of 10^8 CFU/mL.
- The maximal adhesion with minimal bacterial clumping was observed after a 45-minute incubation period.
- Color space image processing was crucial for accurate analysis due to melanin presence.
Conclusions:
- The optimized assay conditions (10^8 CFU/mL for 45 min) provide maximal bacterial adhesion for Staphylococcus aureus to equine corneocytes.
- These findings will facilitate future studies comparing the avidity of different S. aureus strains for horse skin cells.
