(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2007) Karmacharya, Amresh Prasad; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Tim E. Ford
Interest in the growth of M. avium in biofilms has increased in the last few years. Research has shown that M. avium cells in biofilms are more resistant to disinfectants than their planktonic counterparts. Although M. avium has been detected in biofilms in in situ and laboratory models, information available on M. avium is limited compared to biofilm model species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. The main objective of the present research was to study the growth of M. avium in biofilms in the presence of P. aeruginosa. Biofilms were grown in sterile tap water on stainless steel coupons in batch mode. Two kinds of reactors were used; mason jars and a recirculation system. Each experiment lasted from 27 to 35 days depending upon the nature of the experiment. The two strains were inoculated in isolation (monospecies) and also in combination (dual species).
