Title

X-ray micrography and imaging of live Neisseria gonorrhea using laser plasma pulsed X-ray sources

Abstract

Rapid Identification of infectious agents in clinical specimens is important in determination of appropriate therapy. Current procedures for detection of microbial pathogens require fixation-staining for optical microscopy, incubation for growth on selective media, and complete cell lysis for PCR. High resolution X-ray microscopy of live biological specimen is relatively new and restricted to a few synchrotron X-ray sources. We utilized a bench-top source of single-shot laser (nsec) plasma to generate X-rays similar to synchrotron facilities to image live hydrated cells (in 0.9% phosphate buffered saline). 5 aliquot suspension was placed on a small photoresist and covered with a thin (100nm) SiN window. This sealed specimen was positioned in vacuum close to X-ray source, the emission spectrum tuned for optimal absorption by carbon-rich material to etch an image on the resist. The resist was then scanned by an atomic force microscope to give an image of differential X-ray absorption. By this technique we have captured X-ray images (in 10 nanoseconds) of N.gonorrhea cells in their natural state. N.gonorrhea appear round and distinctly oval shaped, diplococci with a distinct division septum were also observed. This data exhibits potential application of real time X-ray microscopy, with no specimen preparation, in instant identification and study of live pathogenic microbes which need not be present in large numbers in the specimen.

Publication Date

12-1-1997

Publication Title

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Volume

25

Issue

2

Number of Pages

400-

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

Socpus ID

33748151392 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/33748151392

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