Lectin-biotin assay for slime present in in situ biofilm produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

A lectin-biotin assay was developed for use in the specific detection of slime produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A and M187sp11 grown in a chemically defined medium. Mature biofilm was formed on polyvinylchloride (PVC) disks using a combined chemostat-modified Robbins device (MRD) model system. Specimens fixed in situ were: 1) stained with ruthenium red; 2) reacted overnight with biotin-labeled lectins (WGA, succinyl-WGA, Con A, or APA) followed by treatment with gold-labeled extravidin; or 3) reacted with antibodies against S. epidermidis RP62A capsular polysaccharide/adhesin (PS/A) using an immunogold procedure. WGA and succinyl-WGA (S-WGA), which specifically bind N-acetylglucosamine, were shown by TEM to react only with slime, both cell-associated and exocellular. In contrast, Con A, APA and anti-PS/A reacted with the bacterial cell surface but did not react with slime. These results indicate the usefulness of WGA lectin as a specific marker for detection of the presence and distribution of slime matrix material in S. epidermidis biofilm.