Ultrastructure of the Pathogenic Bacteria Mobiluncus mulieris

Abstract

Mobiluncus spp. are gram variable anaerobic rods found associated with bacterial vaginosis. A common finding in bacterial vaginosis is the presence of excessive numbers of bacteria attached to detached vaginal epithelial cells giving rise to the "clue cell." In the ultrastructural study of vaginosis involving Mobiluncus species, De Boer and Plantema observed adhesion of microorganisms to epithelial cells, however no specialized surface structures were noted [1]. A polysaccharide glycocalyx, demonstrated by ruthenium red staining, which could contribute to adhesive properties of the organism was reported by these authors [1]. Hernández et al. report cultured M. mulieris with four subpolar flagella with multiple origins, but no pili were reported [2]. We wanted to investigate whether this species does exhibit pili, which could be a method employed for colonization. Clinical isolates of M. mulieris (ATCC) were grown in Columbia Blood Broth (CBB), one of five media that promote growth of Mobiluncus [2]. Cultures were grown anaerobically for 48 hr in CBB at 37˚C.

Rapid microbial viability assay using scanning electron microscopy: a proof-of-concept using Phosphotungstic acid staining

“…Subsequently, several studies were conducted to explore the mechanism of interaction between PTA and different biologic samples. For bacteria, most studies describe how PTA stains polysaccharides which are usually present in the bacterial membrane and cell wall [3] , [4] , [5] . Since then, PTA has been a commonly used heavy metal stain, alongside other products, for microbiological EM investigations [6] , [7] , [8] .…”