Epifluorescence microscopy: a tool for evaluation of gas-discharge plasma on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

BRELLES MARIÑO, GRACIELA; MURACA, GIULIANA; SOLER-ARANGO, JULIANA

Workshop; Imaging Techniques for Biotechnology and Biomedical Applications Workshop; 2016

Introduction: A biofilm is a microbial community attached to a surface and embedded in a matrix composed of exopolysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids. Biofilms can colonize a variety of substrates. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that preys on victims with compromised immune systems, patients on respirators, and causes infections of burned tissue. In clinical settings, it can colonize catheters, indwelling devices and respirators1. Biofilms are more resistant to sterilization methods than planktonic cells; therefore a better control is required. Plasma, the fourth state of matter, contains charged particles, chemical reactive species and UV radiation, which are known as bacterial decontaminants. Gas-discharge plasma is a tool consisting of reactive agents at low temperature (≤50°C)2.