Real-time monitoring of live mycobacteria with a microfluidic acoustic-Raman platform

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Lipid
rich, phenotypically antibiotic tolerant, bacteria are more resistant to antibiotics
and may be responsible for relapse and the need for long-term TB treatment.
We present a microfluidic system that acoustically traps live mycobacteria,
M. smegmatis, a model organism for M. tuberculosis. We then perform
optical analysis in the form of wavelength modulated Raman spectroscopy
(WMRS) on the trapped M. smegmatis for up to eight hours, and also in
the presence of isoniazid (INH). The Raman fingerprints of M. smegmatis
exposed to INH change substantially in comparison to the unstressed condition.
Our work provides a real-time assessment of the impact of INH on the
increase of lipids in these mycobacteria, which could render the cells more
tolerant to antibiotics. This microfluidic platform may be used to study any
microorganism and to dynamically monitor its response to different conditions
and stimuli.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Peter Glynne-Jones: orcid.org/0000-0001-5684-3953

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