Application of Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Microbial Detection to Enhance Clinical Investigations

Abstract

Microbial biofilms are complex multi-layered communities of bacteria and fungi which cause a range of oral and other diseases. Efficient detection of biofilms is important for the clinical management of diseases they cause and for providing an endpoint to clinical treatments. For bacterial biofilms, bacterial metabolites such as porphyrins are important molecules for diagnostic purposes, since they fluoresce in the red and infrared regions of the spectrum. Fluorescence is a versatile and powerful diagnostic approach for detection of bacterial biofilms, particularly in dentistry. This chapter provides an overview of fluorescence spectroscopic methods for detection and analysis of biofilms and their derivatives such as deposits of dental calculus and how current technology can be extended using photon-counting detectors. Fluorescence can be used to help discriminate these from healthy tissues. The approaches described have broad applications to clinical and industrial situations where non-invasive detection of microbial biofilms is important.

Bacteriophage‐receptor binding proteins for multiplex detection of Staphylococcus and Enterococcus in blood

“…The intrinsic characteristics of RBPs make them attractive biorecognition elements on a variety of methodologies for the rapid and specific detection and identification of bacterial pathogens. Fluorescence spectroscopy has shown to be a useful analytical approach in many fields, particularly in the detection of bacteria from biological samples, improving diagnosis and clinical care (Shakibaie, Lamard, Rubinsztein‐Dunlop, & Walsh, 2018).…”

Root canal cleaning in roots with complex canals using agitated irrigation fluids

“…While the present study used violet light-induced fluorescence to assess the presence of biofilm at a macroscopic level [39][40][41], it would be useful in future work to spit the roots to allow SEM observation of the root canal walls, or to section the roots for histological staining of the remaining biofilm, to assess its presence in inaccessible areas. This approach would also allow insight into the three dimensional structure of the biofilm present at baseline, confirmation of the presence of extent of bacterial growth on the root canal walls and into dentinal tubules, and how different methods of fluid activation alter various parts of the biofilm structure, as none of these were addressed in the present study.…”

Novel Approaches to Detect and Treat Biofilms within the Root Canals of Teeth: A Review

“…The choice of the light wavelength used for fluorescence excitation has other practical implications. Light in the long wavelength ultraviolet wavelength range has a higher photon energy than visible light and thus, gives a greater quantum yield when used for fluorescence excitation; however, it scatters strongly, and has poor penetration into tooth structure [26].…”