Translational Research - Biofilms

CDC States that 80% of nosocomial infections are associated with adherence/colonization of indwelling medical devices (IMDs).  We have focused on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intubated ICU patients and consequently, designed, implemented and evaluated a 5-part Co-Biofilm Ventilator-Endotrach-Mechanical-Lung (VEL) model that duplicates the ICU Patient environment.  We wanted to study undisturbed 3-D lumenal biofilms and their architecture under controlled conditions including prokaryotes, eukaryotes, substrata, bi-directional mechanical stress factors and physio-chemical environments.  Biofilms can be categorized into 4 stages utilizing 6 imaging techniques: radiographic, bright field, CLSM, flow cytometry, SEM and freeze fracture SEM.  We are presently using the VEL Co-Biofilm Model to evaluate several anti-biofilm designs and strategies.  We are also using a tooth model and clinical isolates from the Mountain State Oral Facial Laboratory to link the oral-systemic pathway and the co-biofilm hypothesis in VAP.