Use of quantitative PCR and culture methods to characterize ecological flux in bacterial biofilms

J Clin Microbiol. 2007 Sep;45(9):3072-6. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01131-07. Epub 2007 Jun 27.

Abstract

An in vitro model of supragingival plaque associated with gingivitis was characterized by traditional culture techniques, comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing of isolates, and quantitative PCR (QPCR). Actinomyces naeslundii, Prevotella spp., and Porphyromonas gingivalis increased under conditions emulating gingivitis. Gram-negative species and total bacteria were dramatically underestimated by culture compared to the estimates obtained by QPCR.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / classification*
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods*
  • Biofilms*
  • Colony Count, Microbial / methods
  • Gingivitis / microbiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S