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Ex vivo gingival‐biofilm consortia
Author(s) -
Vitkov L.,
Hannig M.,
Krautgartner W.D.,
Herrmann M.,
Fuchs K.,
Klappacher M.,
Hermann A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2005.01787.x
Subject(s) - ex vivo , biofilm , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , in vivo , bacteria , genetics
Aims: To develop a protocol for harvesting ex vivo samples of gingival‐biofilm consortia and to investigate their basic characteristics. Methods and Results: Gingival epithelial cells with attached biofilm were collected from healthy subjects by taking a smear. The bacterial viability was estimated via the alteration of the membrane permeability and metabolic activity via the double/single‐stranded nucleic acid ratio using a confocal laser‐scanning microscope. Morphological analysis was performed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, microbiological estimations were made. The electron microscopy revealed fimbriae‐mediated adhesion and the formation of a biofilm matrix. Most bacteria were viable and had a high metabolic activity. Conclusions: The presented study offers an easy to follow approach for harvesting samples of gingival‐biofilm consortia. The latter differs considerably from the supragingival plaque in viability and zonal distribution. Related to free‐living and in vitro ‐grown biofilms, the gingiva‐associated biofilm revealed an atypically high metabolic activity. Significance and Impact of the Study: Biofilm fragments should possess the basic features of the entire gingiva‐associated biofilm; which as yet cannot be simulated in vitro . Thus, samples of ex vivo gingival‐biofilm consortia can be used to investigate the resistance of oral biofilms against antibiotics and biocides.