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Tetracycline rapidly reaches all the constituent cells of uropathogenic Escherichia coli biofilmsWe have developed a method for visualizing Escherichia coli cells that are exposed to tetracycline in a biofilm, based on a previous report that liposomes containing the E. coli TetR(B) protein fluoresce when exposed to this antibiotic. By our method, cells devoid of TetR(B) also exhibited tetracycline-dependent fluorescence. At 50 microg of tetracycline ml(-1), planktonic cells of a uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strain developed maximal fluorescence after 7.5 to 10 min of exposure. A similar behavior was exhibited by cells in a 24- or 48-h UPEC biofilm, as examined by confocal laser microscopy, regardless of whether they lined empty spaces or occupied densely packed regions. Further, a comparison of phase-contrast and fluorescent images of corresponding biofilm zones showed that all the cells fluoresced. Thus, all the biofilm cells were exposed to tetracycline and there were no pockets within the biofilm where the antibiotic failed to reach. It also appeared unlikely that niches of reduced exposure to the antibiotic existed within the biofilms.
Document ID
20040088224
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Stone, G.
(Stanford University School of Medicine 299 West Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, United States)
Wood, P.
Dixon, L.
Keyhan, M.
Matin, A.
Demain, A. L.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 2002
Publication Information
Publication: Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Volume: 46
Issue: 8
ISSN: 0066-4804
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: 5T32 AI 07328-01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Cell Biology

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