Biofilm formation under anaerobic conditions on biomaterial’s surface

Investigations of the biofilm formation processes on biomaterials surfaces are focused on typical physiologic conditions - aerobic condition. In experimental works onto model strains, and also in the clinical reports there is a lack of the information related to the mechanisms engaged in biofilm grown under conditions of limited access to oxygen or in entirely anaerobic environment. Presented results show the colonization of medical steel 316L surface and creation of biofilm structures by E. coli bacteria’s, under oxygen deficit conditions or its total lack. In studied arrangement the change of the dynamics of bacterium growth was observed, which led to considerable slowdown of the biofilm development. Bacteria were observed with use of the combination of fluorescent dyes - bis-benzimide and propidium iodide – which makes it possible the distinction of live/death bacteria. In oxygen deficiency and in anaerobic conditions multiplication of death bacteria level in comparison to standard conditions was observed (suitably 34% and 41% dead cells, oxygenic conditions - 1%). The limitation of oxygen utilization possibility by the bacteria, which colonized investigated surfaces also resulted in decreased sizes reached by the cells.