A surface with a biomimetic micropattern reduces colonization of Mycobacterium abscessus. Issue 1 (9th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Eun; Kinney, William H.; Ovrutsky, Alida R.; Vo, Danthy; Bai, Xiyuan; Honda, Jennifer R.; Marx, Grace; Peck, Emily; Lindberg, Leslie; Falkinham, Joseph O.; May, Rhea M.; Chan, Edward D.
• Is Part Of: FEMS microbiology letters. Volume 360:Issue 1(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 17
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2014-09-09
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579
• DOI: 10.1111/1574-6968.12587
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-1097

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="fml12587-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous organisms found in soil, water, and biofilms. Engineered surface topography has been proposed as a method to reduce microbial biofilm formation. The Sharklet<sup>®</sup> micropattern silicone surface has been shown to reduce biofilm formation of pyogenic bacteria. We hypothesized that this micropattern surface will also reduce colonization by <italic>Mycobacterium abscessus</italic>, a human pathogen. Smooth and micropattern silicone samples were incubated with 1 × 10<sup>6</sup> <italic>M. abscessus</italic> mL<sup>−1</sup> for 2 and 4 days. After processing to optimize recovery of adhered mycobacteria, there was a 75% and 50% reduction in the number of viable <italic>M. abscessus</italic> recovered from the micropattern surfaces compared to the smooth surfaces at 2 and 4 days after inoculation, respectively. Ziehl–Neelsen staining after measures to remove the adherent microorganisms revealed fewer residual <italic>M. abscessus</italic> on the micropattern samples as compared to smooth samples, validating the quantitative culture results. Microscopic observation of 2, 4, and 8 day <italic>M. abscessus</italic> cultures on micropattern samples showed that the organisms preferentially colonized within the channels between the rectangular features. In summary, a micropattern surface reduces the colonization of a pathogenic NTM. It remains to be seen whether this micropattern can reduce infections in humans.</p> </abstract>