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Imaging Biofilms in Tissue Specimens

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Antibiofilm Agents

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Biofilms ((BIOFILMS,volume 8))

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Abstract

Microscopic imaging can be used to provide direct evidence of the presence of biofilms in tissue samples. However, successful imaging requires a series of well-planned and executed steps as well as adequate controls. The steps can include sample collection, fixation, embedding and sectioning, staining, and imaging. Each of these steps is discussed in this chapter. Selection of an appropriate staining technique is one of the key considerations for sample analysis. A variety of staining techniques ranging from general stains to highly specific molecular probes are available. For fluorescence microscopy, staining complications can include tissue autofluorescence, fixation-induced autofluorescence, and nonspecific binding. To assess the impact of these potential complications, it is best to use multiple complementary staining techniques as well as adequate controls. A variety of microscopic techniques have been used to image biofilms in tissue samples including light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, epifluorescent microscopy, and confocal scanning laser microscopy. The latter technique has advantages of minimal sample manipulation, three dimensional imaging, and enables the use of specific fluorescent molecular probes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA

    Garth James

  2. Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, 5177 BPS Building, 567 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA

    Alessandra Marçal Agostinho Hunt

Authors
  1. Garth James
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  2. Alessandra Marçal Agostinho Hunt
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Correspondence to Garth James .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA

    Kendra P. Rumbaugh

  2. Department of Ag. Microbiology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

    Iqbal Ahmad

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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James, G., Hunt, A.M.A. (2014). Imaging Biofilms in Tissue Specimens. In: Rumbaugh, K., Ahmad, I. (eds) Antibiofilm Agents. Springer Series on Biofilms, vol 8. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-53833-9_3

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