Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology

In vivo biofilms of Borrelia burgdorferi - Morphologic and pathologic findings

2^nd International Conference on Clinical Microbiology & Microbial Genomics

September 16-17, 2013 Hampton Inn Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Alan B. MacDonald

Accepted Abstracts: J Microb Biochem Technol

Abstract:

Biofilm communities formed by Borrelia burgdorferi , the etiologic agent of Lyme Borreliosis have recently been described with an in vitro model. Both attached biofilms associated with biotic and abiotic surfaces and free floating biofilm communities have been verified with light microscopy and with atomic force microscopy. Component specialization of the constituents of the matrix and microbial shape shifting from spiral (planktonic) to cystic, granular, bacilliform, and spheroplast species of Borrelia demonstrate microbial specialization within the Borrelia biofilm communities. Water channels, nanotubes, nanowires within the Borrelia biofilm units facilitate cell to cell communication and maintenance of the health and vitality of the communities of differentiated spirochetes. Liposomal derivatives from the outer surface membrane of planktonic and differentiated borrelia provide a vehicle for horizontal DNA transfer between members of the biofilm complex. The spectrum of diverse morphologies of Borrelia within biofilm communities will be illustrated and correlations between biofilms of other microbial species and Borrelia burgdorferi biofilms will be reviewed.