Separation of pathogenic bacteria by chain length

Jason P Beech,Bao Dang Ho,Geneviève Garriss,Vitor Oliveira,Birgitta Henriques-Normark,Jonas O Tegenfeldt

doi:10.1016/j.aca.2017.11.050

Abstract

Using Deterministic Lateral Displacement devices optimized for sensitivity to particle length, we separate subpopulations of bacteria depending on known properties that affect their capability to cause disease (virulence). For the human bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae, bacterial chain length and the presence of a capsule are known virulence factors contributing to its ability to cause severe disease. Separation of cultured pneumococci into subpopulations based on morphological type (single cocci, diplococci and chains) will enable more detailed studies of the role they play in virulence. Moreover, we present separation of mixed populations of almost genetically identical encapsulated and non-encapsulated pneumococcal strains in our device.

Highlights

Introduction1.1. Streptococcus pneumoniaeStreptococcus pneumoniae is a major human pathogen responsible for over a million deaths per year worldwide. The grampositive S. pneumoniae is a round-shaped bacterium (coccus) thatJ.P. Beech et al / Analytica Chimica Acta 1000 (2018) 223e231polysaccharide capsule that surrounds the bacterium [4]. More than 97 capsular serotypes of S. pneumoniae have been described to date, some of which are predominately associated with invasive disease or with colonization [5,6].1.2. Microfluidics separation - deterministic lateral displacement
We have shown the separation of cultured, pathogenic pneumococcal cells into fractions predominantly defined by their morphologies
We can enrich for single cocci or chains of 3 cells or longer and we describe strategies for the further improvement of future devices

Summary

Introduction

1.1. Streptococcus pneumoniaeStreptococcus pneumoniae is a major human pathogen responsible for over a million deaths per year worldwide. The grampositive S. pneumoniae is a round-shaped bacterium (coccus) thatJ.P. Beech et al / Analytica Chimica Acta 1000 (2018) 223e231polysaccharide capsule that surrounds the bacterium [4]. More than 97 capsular serotypes of S. pneumoniae have been described to date, some of which are predominately associated with invasive disease or with colonization [5,6].1.2. Microfluidics separation - deterministic lateral displacement

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Conclusion