Candida biofilm analysis in the artificial throat using FISH.

Biofilm formation is a common complication of the use of prosthetic devices. In clinical settings, biofilms can be comprised of one or more microbial species. In order to investigate the interaction between different species within a biofilm, a reproducible, reliable model system has to be utilized and an appropriate system for species identification applied. The present chapter describes the artificial throat model, a model system for growing mixed species biofilms on shunt prostheses. The model is used in conjugation with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), which facilitates identification and localization of the resident microorganisms within biofilms.