Plume height and surface coverage analysis of methicillin-resistant isolates grown in a CDC biofilm reactor.

Biofilm formation is a dynamic process that leads to mature communities over time. Despite a general knowledge of biofilm community formation and the resultant limitations of antibiotic therapy, there is a paucity of data describing specific plume heights, surface coverage and rates of maturation. Furthermore, little is published on the effect that the broth medium might have on the degree of biofilm maturation. In this study, three strains of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) (USA300, USA400 and a clinical isolate) were grown in brain heart infusion broth (BHI) or tryptic soy broth (TSB). Following growth, SEM images were captured for 3-D analysis to assess plume height. TSB produced significantly higher plume heights of USA300 and USA400 compared to BHI. Broth type was less influential on the clinical isolate. The data indicate that broth type and time may be important factors to consider when assessing maturation and plume height formation of MRSA biofilms.