US Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pesticide Programs

Office of Pesticide Programs

Microbiology Laboratory

Environmental Science Center, Ft. Meade, MD

Standard Operating Procedure for

Preparing a Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm
using the CDC Biofilm Reactor

SOP Number: MB-19-06

Date Revised: 09-19-22


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SOP No. MB-19-06
Date Revised 09-19-22
Page i of 17

SOP Number

MB-19-06

Title

Preparing a Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus
Biofilm using the CDC Biofilm Reactor

Revisions Made

•	Minor editorial changes for clarification purposes.

•	Removed footnotes in Attachment 1 referencing ASTM E3161-18.

•	Updated ASTM International Standard reference from 2018 to
2021 and updated version number from E3161-18 to E3161-21.


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SOP No. MB-10-06

Date Revised 09-19-22
Page 1 of 17

SOP Number

MB-19-06

Title

Preparing a Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus
Biofilm using the CDC Biofilm Reactor

Scope

Describes the methodology used for growing a Pseudomonas
aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus biofilm that can be used for
disinfectant efficacy testing using the Single Tube Method (SOP
MB-20).

Application

For use in the evaluation of antimicrobial products with biofilm
claims.





Approval Date

SOP Developer:

•iW&w 09/19/22

Print Name: Rebecca Pines

SOP Reviewer

^Skvu&t 09/19/22

Print Name: Lisa Smith

Quality Assurance Unit

/W\JU- 09/19/22

Print Name: Michele Cottrill

Branch Chief

09/19/22

Print Name: Rebecca Pines



Date SOP issued:

09/19/22

Controlled copy
number:

0

Date SOP withdrawn:




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SOP No. MB-19-06
Date Revised 09-19-22
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents	Page Number

1.

DEFINITIONS

3

2.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

3

3.

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

3

4.

INSTRUMENT CALIBRATION

3

5.

SAMPLE HANDLING AND STORAGE

4

6.

QUALITY CONTROL

4

7.

INTERFERENCES

4

8. NON-CONFORMING DATA

5

9.

DATA MANAGEMENT

5

10.

CAUTIONS

5

11.

SPECIAL APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

5

12.

PROCEDURE AND ANALYSIS

7

13.

DATA ANALYSIS/CALCULATIONS

12

14.

FORMS AND DATA SHEETS

12

15.

REFERENCES

12


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1. Definitions

Additional abbreviations/definitions are provided in the text.

1.	CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2.	Biofilm = microorganisms living in a self-organized community
attached to surfaces, interfaces, or each other, embedded in a matrix of
extracellular polymeric substances of microbial origin, while
exhibiting altered phenotypes with respect to growth rate and gene
transcription.

3.	Coupon = biofilm sample surface

4.	Residence time = the time required for the entire volume of the reactor
to exchange once (during CSTR mode).

5.	Batch phase = establishment of the biofilm by operating the reactor
without the flow of nutrients (batch phase growth medium), but with
mixing.

6.	Continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) phase = establishment of a
steady state biofilm population achieved with the continuous flow of
nutrients (continuous flow growth medium) in a glass vessel.

2. Health and
Safety

Follow procedures specified in SOP MB-01, Laboratory Biosafety. The
Study Director and/or lead analyst should consult the Safety Data Sheet for
specific hazards associated with products.

3. Personnel
Qualifications
and Training

Refer to SOP ADM-04, OPP Microbiology Laboratory Training.

4. Instrument
Calibration

1.	Refer to SOPs EQ-01 (pH meters), EQ-02 (thermometers), EQ-03
(weigh balances), EQ-05 (timers), and QC-19 (pipettes) for details on
method and frequency of calibration.

2.	For new reactors (i.e., new Berzelius beaker with spout), confirm the
operating volume of reactor prior to initial use and record results (see
section 14).

a.	Fully assemble the reactor (including rods with coupons and
baffle apparatus) and place on a stir plate set to the appropriate
speed (e.g., 125±5 r/min for P.a. or 60±5 r/min for S.a.). Clamp
the effluent tubing on the reactor beaker.

b.	Remove one of the rods and fill the reactor with water, higher
than the level of the glass spout and reinsert the rod. Turn on the
stir plate to the appropriate baffle speed.

c.	Remove the clamp on the effluent tubing and allow the excess
fluid to drain out of the reactor.

d.	Carefully pour the remaining water into a graduated cylinder; this


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Date Revised 09-19-22
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remaining water is the operating volume of the reactor.

e. Use the operating volume of the reactor to determine the

appropriate pump flow rate using the formula Q = V/RT, where Q
= flow rate (volume of fluid which passes through the tubing into
the reactor per unit time), V = operating volume of reactor, and
RT = residence time. For example: if the operating volume equals
325 mL and the residence time equals 30 min, then the pump flow
rate should be set equal to 10.8 mL/min

3.	Periodic pump calibration: follow manufacturer's instructions for
calibrating the pump and document on the appropriate form (see
section 14).

4.	Periodic residence time verification

a. Set up the pump as required to run the biofilm reactor. Using a
calibrated timer, pump liquid into an appropriately sized vessel
(e.g., at least 500 mL) for 30 min and measure the volume
pumped. Using the formula Q = V/RT, ensure the residence time
is equal to 30±2 min. Adjust the pump flow rate as necessary.
Document the results on the appropriate form (see section 14).

5. Sample

Handling and
Storage

N/A

6. Quality Control

For quality control purposes, the required information is documented on
the appropriate form(s) (see section 14).

7. Interferences

1.	The rotational speed of the baffled stir bar directly determines the
amount of shear stress that the biofilm experiences. Biofilm
accumulation on the coupons is sensitive to changes in the baffle's
rotational speed. The baffle rotational speed is a critical factor that
must be controlled. If baffle speed is not maintained correctly, it may
impact the quality of the biofilm.

2.	Due to the deterioration of the materials, it may be necessary to change
the tubing and filters on the reactor and carboys after 5-6 autoclaving
processes. Ensure tubing used in the peristaltic pump is kept free of
dirt and grit by wiping with a damp paper towel.

3.	Inspect all parts of the reactor system frequently and replace as
necessary.

4.	Coupons must be screened prior to use. Coupons that are compromised
(presence of nicks or scratches) due to repeated use should be replaced.

5.	Wide fluctuations in ambient temperature may cause variability in the
formation of the biofilm.


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6. The temperature of the medium (36±2°C) must be maintained prior to
and during CSTR phase for S. aureus.

8. Non-
conforming
Data

Management of non-conforming data will be specified in the study
protocol; procedures will be consistent with SOP ADM-07, Non-
Conformance Reports.

9. Data

Management

Archive the data consistent with SOP ADM-03, Records and Archives.

10. Cautions

1.	Place waste containers in secondary containment to prevent a spill of
biohazardous material.

2.	Check all tubing connections prior to initiating the reactor.

11. Special

Apparatus and
Materials

1.	Test organisms.

a.	Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC No. 15442).

b.	Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC No. 6538).

2.	Cryoprotectant. TSB (30 g/L) with 15% (v/v) glycerol.

3.	Growth medium for stock culture generation. Trypticase soy agar
(TSA).

4.	Bacterial liquid growth media. Tryptic soy broth (TSB).

Table 1. Growth Media Concentrations



TSB Concentration

Biofilm Phase

P. aeruginosa

S. aureus

Inoculum

300 mg/L

30 g/L

Batch phase

300 mg/L

3 g/L

CSTR

100 mg/L

1 g/L

5.	Water. Use reagent-grade water free of substances that interfere with
analytical methods. Any method of preparation of reagent-grade water
is acceptable provided that the requisite quality can be met. See
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater and
SOP QC-01, Quality Assurance of Purified Water for details on
reagent-grade water.

6.	Calibratedmicropipettes. Continuously adjustable pipette with volume
capability of 1 mL for performing culture transfers.

7.	Ultrasonic water bath. For cleaning the CDC Reactor coupons. Any
cavitating sonicating bath that operates at 45±5 kHz and has a volume
large enough to accommodate 50 mL or 250 mL conical tubes.

8.	Peristaltic pump. Pump head that can hold size 16 or equivalent	


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SOP No. MB-19-06
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peristaltic pump tubing. Use a separate pump for each reactor.

9.	Digital magnetic stir plate. Top plate of at least 10.16x 10.16 cm that
can rotate at a range of 60-125±5 r/min.

10.	Silicon tubing. Multiple sizes: size 16 tubing or equivalent designed for
use in a peristaltic pump (used for most connections between CSTR
growth medium carboy and the reactor), and size 18 or 25 tubing or
equivalent (used for reactor effluent). All sizes must withstand steam
sterilization (e.g., platinum cured).

11.	Norprene tubing (or equivalent). Size 16 or equivalent Norprene
tubing. Recommended for use in the peristaltic pump.

12.	Glass flow break. Any that will connect with size 16 tubing and
withstand steam sterilization, used to prevent microbial contamination
of the nutrient reservoir from the biofilm reactor.

13.	Clamp. Used to hold flow break, extension clamp with 0.5 cm
minimum grip size.

14.	Clamp stand. Height no less than 76.2 cm, used with clamp to suspend
glass flow break vertically and stabilize tubing above reactor.

15.	Reactor Components. For schematic illustrations of CDC reactor
components, see ref. 15.1. Reactor components available from
BioSurface Technologies, Inc.

a.	Berzelius borosilicate glass tall beaker .1000 mL without pour
spout, 9.5±0.5 cm diameter. Barbed outlet spout added at 400±50
mL mark. Spout angled 30-45° to ensure drainage. Spout should
accommodate size 18 or 25 flexible silicone tubing.

b.	Reactor top. UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight) polyethylene
top (10.1 cm diameter tapering to 8.33 cm) equipped with a
minimum of 3 holes accommodating 6-8 cm long pieces of
stainless steel or other rigid autoclavable tubing with OD of 5-8
mm for medium inlet, air exchange and inoculation port. Center
hole, 1.27 cm diameter, to accommodate the glass rod used to
support the baffle assembly. Eight rod holes, 1.905 cm diameter,
notched to accommodate stainless steel rod alignment pin (0.236
cm OD). O-ring, attached to underside of reactor top.

c.	Polypropylene rods. Eight polypropylene rods, 21.08 cm long,
two types: coupon holder machined to hold three coupons (see
11.14d) at the immersed end, three 316 stainless steel set screws
embedded in the side to hold coupons in place; and coupon holder
blanks, without coupon recesses. Rods fit into holes in reactor top
and lock into preformed notches with alignment pin.

d.	Coupons. Twenty-four cylindrical coupons (e.g., borosilicate


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glass) with a diameter of 1.27±0.013 cm, thickness of
approximately 3.0 mm.

e.	Small Allen wrench (1.27 mm hex). For adjusting set screws.

f.	Stir blade assembly (baffledstir bar). Polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE) blade (5.61 cm) fitted into cylindrical PTFE holder (8.13
cm) and held in place with a magnetic stir bar (2.54 cm). PTFE
holder fits onto a glass rod (15.8 cm), fitted into the reactor top.
The glass rod is held in place with a compression fitting and acts
as a support for the moving blade assembly.

16.	Carboys. Two 20 L autoclavable carboys, one used for waste and one
for growth medium.

a. Carboy lids. Two carboy lids. One carboy lid with at least 2
barbed fittings to accommodate size 16 tubing (one for growth
medium and one for bacterial air vent (filter); a third barbed
fitting may be used for injecting TSB medium concentrate). One
carboy lid with at least two 1 cm holes bored in the same fashion
(one for effluent waste and one for bacterial air vent).

i. Carboy lids can be purchased with fittings.

17.	Bacterial air vent (filter). Autoclavable 0.2 |im pore size, to be spliced
into tubing on waste carboy, growth medium carboy and reactor top;
recommended diameter 37 mm.

18.	Detergent. Laboratory detergent for cleaning coupons and reactor
parts.

12. Procedure and
Analysis

Growing the organism in the reactor is partitioned into 2 phases. The
biofilm is established by operating the reactor in batch phase (i.e., no flow)
for 24 hours followed by 24 hours with continuous flow of growth medium
to form biofilm on coupons (CSTR phase). The coupons are harvested to
conduct the efficacy test. Operating the CDC Biofilm Reactor at the
conditions specified in this method generates biofilm at log densities (logio
CFU per coupon) ranging from 8.0 to 9.5 for P. aeruginosa and 7.5 to 9.0
for S. aureus. The main components of this procedure are as follows:

Verify reactor operating volume (once per reactor) and periodically
calibrate the pump

Clean and screen coupons

-	Prepare the reactor and steam sterilize the assembled reactor
Steam sterilize the 20 L carboy containing 19 L de-ionized water

-	Prepare the inoculum
Initiate batch phase


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SOP No. MB-19-06
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Initiate CSTR phase
- Harvest coupons for efficacy testing (refer to SOP MB-20)

12.1 Borosilicate
glass coupon
preparation

Coupons may be used repeatedly with proper cleaning and screening
between each use. After use in the reactor, place contaminated coupons in
an appropriate vessel, cover with liquid (e.g., water), and, along with the
other parts of the contaminated reactor system, steam sterilize at 121°C for
30 min or using other parameters that ensure sterilization.

a.	Check each coupon under 20X magnification for scratching,
chipping, other damage, or accumulated debris before each use.
Discard those with visible damage to surface topography.

b.	For initial use and re-use, sonicate coupons in individual tubes or
welled plates for approximately 5 min in detergent diluted per the
manufacturer's instructions. The soapy water must completely
cover the coupons. Process coupons individually to minimize the
risk of damage to the coupons.

c.	Rinse coupons with reagent grade water and sonicate for
approximately 1 min in reagent grade water. Repeat rinsing and
sonication with reagent grade water until no soap is left on the
coupons, as demonstrated by a visible lack of suds.

d.	Once the coupons are clean, wear gloves to prevent oils and other
residue from contaminating the surface. Store screened and
cleaned coupons in a Petri dish.

Note: Coupons may be made out of alternative materials. Adjust
the cleaning procedure so that it is appropriate for the coupon
material being used.

12.2 Preparation of
reactor top

a.	Invert the reactor top and place baffled stir bar onto glass rod
positioned in the center of the reactor top.

b.	Invert the reactor beaker and place onto the assembled top. Turn
the reactor over so that the reactor top is upright. The baffled stir
bar is designed to allow it to rotate freely.

c.	Place a cleaned and screened coupon into each hole in the reactor
rods, leaving the top of the coupon flush with the inside rod
surface. Tighten the set screw. If less than 24 coupons are
required for testing, substitute one coupon holder blank for each
polypropylene rod holding 3 coupons.

d.	Place rods into reactor top loosely (not yet fitted into notches).

e.	Connect the bacterial air vent by fitting the vent to a small section
of appropriately sized tubing and attach to one of the rigid tubes
on the reactor top.


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f. Splice the glass flow break into the growth medium tubing line
near the reactor top.

12.3 Sterilization of
the reactor
system

a.	Ensure that the reactor top is securely on the beaker before
sterilization. To allow for pressure to escape, do not set rod
alignment pins in notches during sterilization.

b.	Cover the ends of the injection ports, the growth medium tubing
connected to the growth medium carboy, the entire reactor top,
and the effluent tubing with aluminum foil. Cover any extra
openings on the reactor top with aluminum foil or plastic caps to
maintain sterility after autoclaving.

c.	Steam sterilize the empty reactor system at 121°C for 20 min.

d.	After sterilization, verify that all coupons are in place. If a coupon
has fallen out of a rod, aseptically remove the rod with the
missing coupon and insert a sterile coupon holder blank into the
reactor prior to initiating batch phase; retrieve the fallen coupon
with flame sterilized forceps or other sterile instrument.

12.4 Inoculum

initiation from
frozen stock
culture

Refer to SOP MB-02 for the test microbe culture transfer notation. Refer
to Attachments 1-2 for stock culture generation and QC.

a.	For P. aeruginosa, defrost a single cryovial and briefly vortex to
mix. Add 10 |iL of the frozen stock culture to a tube containing
10 mL of sterile TSB (300 mg/L) and vortex to mix. Incubate
bacterial suspension at 36±2°C for 24±2 h.

b.	For S. aureus, defrost a single cryovial and briefly vortex to mix.
Add 10 |iL of the frozen stock culture to a tube containing 10 mL
of sterile TSB (30 g/L) and vortex to mix. Incubate bacterial
suspension at 36±2°C for 24±2 h.

c.	Culture tracking: add "-BF-A" after the number of the frozen
stock culture vial in the organism transfer number to denote the
first transfer (A) of a biofilm culture (BF) (see section 14 for
culture tracking form).

d.	Verify purity of the inoculated tube by streak isolation (e.g.,
verify appropriate colony morphologies) on TSA with 5% sheep
blood (BAP). Incubate plate with the -BF-A culture and examine
for purity. Record results of purity check on culture tracking form
(see section 14).

e.	If desired, verify that the culturable bacterial density of the 24±2
h -BF-A culture is at least 107 CFU/mL by serial dilution and
plating.


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12.5 Growth of
biofilm in
CDC reactor -
Batch Phase

a.	Clamp the effluent line of the reactor. Aseptically add 500 mL of
the cooled batch phase culture medium to the cooled reactor by
aseptically removing a rod from the reactor and pouring the batch
phase growth medium through the rod opening. Re-insert the rod.

i.	For P. aeruginosa, the batch phase growth medium is 300
mg/L TSB.

ii.	For S. aureus, the batch phase growth medium is 3 g/L
TSB.

b.	Secure the rod alignment pins into the reactor top notches.

c.	Place reactor onto a stir plate.

d.	Clamp the flow break in an upright position; leave other tubing
clamped and covered with aluminum foil.

e.	Vortex the 10 mL tube of culture (see sections 12.4a-b) and use 1
mL to inoculate the reactor through one of the available rigid
stainless steel tubes in the reactor top.

f.	Turn on the magnetic stir plate.

i.	For P. aeruginosa, the rotational speed of the baffle is
125±5 r/min. Run the reactor system in batch phase at
room temperature (21±2°C) for 24±2 h. Record ambient
temperature on the culture tracking form (see section 14).
Note: wide fluctuations in ambient temperature may cause
variability in the formation of the biofilm.

ii.	For S. aureus, the rotational speed of the baffle is 60±5
r/min. Incubate the reactor system in batch phase at
36±2°C for 24±2 h.

g.	Culture tracking: add "-BF-B" after the number of the frozen
stock culture vial in the organism transfer number to denote the
second transfer (B) of a biofilm culture (BF) (see section 14 for
culture tracking form).

12.6 P. aeruginosa
CSTR medium
preparation

For P. aeruginosa biofilm, run the CSTR phase at room temperature
(21±2°C).

a.	Prepare and sterilize concentrated growth medium (e.g., 40 g/L
TSB) separately from 19 L sterile deionized water.

b.	Add 50 mL of sterile 40 g/L TSB to 19 L sterile water (in
carboy), then fill to 20 L with additional sterile water to achieve a
final growth medium concentration of 100 mg/L TSB. Other
concentration/volume combinations of TSB may be used to
achieve a final concentration of 100 mg/L TSB. Shake the carboy


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SOP No. MB-19-06
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Page 11 of 17



or use an appropriately sized sterile stir bar on a magnetic stir
plate to thoroughly mix the contents.

c. Aseptically connect the tubing from the reactor to the carboy
containing the CSTR growth medium (100 mg/L TSB). Record
ambient temperature on the culture tracking form (see section 14).

12.7 S. aureus

CSTR medium
preparation

For S. aureus biofilm, run the CSTR phase at 36±2°C.

a.	Prepare and sterilize concentrated growth medium (e.g., 40 g/L
TSB) separately from 19 L sterile deionized water.

b.	Add 0.5 L of sterile 40 g/L TSB to 19 L sterile water (in carboy),
then fill to 20 L with additional sterile water to achieve a final
growth medium concentration of 1 g/L TSB. Other
concentration/volume combinations of TSB may be used to
achieve a final concentration of 1 g/L TSB. Shake the carboy or
use an appropriately sized sterile stir bar on a magnetic stir plate
to thoroughly mix the contents.

c.	For S. aureus, the continuous flow growth medium entering the
reactor must be at 36±2°C; therefore, preheating of the
continuous flow growth medium is required.

i.	The following are examples of methods that may be used
to preheat the continuous flow growth medium if an
incubator large enough to contain the entire assembled
reactor system is not available: (1) place the continuous
flow growth medium carboy into an incubator for 2 to 3
days prior to use to bring the medium to 36±2°C, or (2)
coil approximately 12 to 15 feet of size 16 tubing inside
the incubator and prime the tubing with the continuous
flow growth medium (1 g/L TSB) at least 1 day prior to
use; refer to Attachment 3.

ii.	The temperature of the medium for S. aureus (36±2°C)
must be maintained prior to and during CSTR.

12.8 Growth of
biofilm in
CDC reactor -
CSTR phase

a.	Aseptically connect the growth medium tubing to the carboy
containing the continuous flow growth medium.

b.	Pump a continuous flow of growth medium into the reactor to
achieve a 30±2 min residence time based on the reactor's
operating volume (see 4.2). Attach tubing from the effluent spout
to a waste carboy and remove the clamp.

i. The effluent spout on the beaker allows overflow to occur,
maintaining a constant growth medium concentration in
the reactor during CSTR phase.


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c.	For P. aeruginosa, operate the reactor in CSTR mode for 24±2 h
at room temperature (21±2°C) with a baffle speed of 125±5 r/min.

d.	For S. aureus, operate the reactor in CSTR mode for 24±2 h at
36±2°C with a baffle speed of 60±5 r/min.

e.	Culture tracking: add "-BF-C" after the number of the frozen
stock culture vial in the organism transfer number to denote the
third step (C) in production of a biofilm culture (BF) (see section
14 for culture tracking form).

f.	Use the procedure in MB-20 to sample the biofilm and evaluate
for efficacy. Use coupons for testing in MB-20 within 30 min
after growth medium flow and baffled stir bar have been turned
off.

13. Data Analysis/
Calculations

N/A

14. Forms and Data
Sheets

1.	Attachment 1: Procedures for Maintenance of Vegetative Bacterial
Cultures - Preparation of Frozen Stock Cultures

2.	Attachment 2: Typical Growth Characteristics of strains of P.
aeruginosa and S. aureus

3.	Attachment 3: Reactor/Tubing Setup for Generation of S. aureus
Biofilm

4.	Test Sheets. Test sheets are stored separately from the SOP under the
following file names:

Biofilm Organism Culture Tracking Form MB-19-06 Fl.docx

Test Microbe Confirmation Sheet (Quality , „ , _ „, .
„ J MB-19-06 F2.docx
Control) -

Biofilm Reactor Operating Volume , „ , _ „, .

r ° MB-19-06 F3.docx
Verification Form -

Pump Calibration Form MB-19-06 F4.docx

Biofilm Reactor Residence Time Verification . , „ „ , ,
_ MB-19-06 F5.docx
Form -

15. References

1.	ASTM International, 2021. E3161 -21: Standard Practice for Preparing
a Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm using
the CDC Biofilm Reactor.

2.	Krieg, Noel R. and Holt, John G. 1984. Bergey's Manual of Systematic
Bacteriology Volume 1. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD. P.
aeruginosa p. 164.

3.	Sneath, P., Mair, N., Sharpe, M.E., and Holt, J. eds. 1986. Bergey's


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Date Revised 09-19-22
Page 13 of 17

Manual of Systematic Bacteriology Volume 2. Williams & Wilkins,
Baltimore, MD. S. aureus p. 1015.

4. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 23rd
Ed. American Public Health Association, 1015 15th Street, NW,
Washington, DC.


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Attachment 1

Procedures for Maintenance of Vegetative Bacterial Cultures - Preparation of Frozen Stock

Cultures

(Refer to SOP MB-02 for establishment of the organism control number.)

A.	Frozen stock cultures are single use only and should be approximately 109 CFU/mL.

B.	Prepare new stock cultures from lyophilized cultures of P. aeruginosa (ATCC 15442)
and S. aureus (ATCC 6538) at least every 18 months.

i. New frozen stock culture may be initiated one time using an existing, unexpired
frozen stock culture as the source. Begin process at step E by streaking a loopful
of the frozen stock culture onto a TSA plate.

C.	Open ampule of freeze-dried organism per manufacturer's instructions. Using a tube
containing 5-6 mL of TSB (30 g/L), aseptically withdraw 0.5 to 1.0 mL and rehydrate the
lyophilized culture.

D.	Aseptically transfer the entire rehydrated pellet back into the original tube of broth. Mix
thoroughly by vortexing. Incubate broth culture at 36±2°C for 24±2 h. Growth in TSB is
necessary to generate culture of sufficient titer for streak isolation.

E.	After incubation, streak a loopful of the suspension on TSA to obtain isolated colonies.
Incubate the plates for 24±2 h at 36±2°C.

i.	Perform a streak isolation of the broth culture onto BAP as a purity check and
streak the broth culture onto the appropriate selective media. Refer to appropriate
selective media in Attachment 2. Incubate all plates for 24±2 h at 36±2°C.

ii.	Record results at the end of the incubation timeframe. Refer to Attachment 2 for
results on selective media and diagnostic characteristics of the test microbes.

F.	Select 3-5 isolated colonies of the test organism and re-suspend into 1 mL of TSB (30
g/L). For S. aureus, select only golden yellow colonies. Multiple phenotypes are present
for P. aeruginosa - the stock culture should be representative of all phenotypes present
on the streak isolation plate. Spread plate 0.1 mL of the suspension on each of 6 to 10
TSA plates. Incubate the plates for 24±2 h at 36±2°C.

i.	If necessary to obtain more frozen stock cultures, a larger suspension (e.g., 2 mL)
may be prepared using the same ratio of TSB (1 mL) to number of colonies (3-5
colonies).

ii.	Using the TSB suspension, perform a streak isolation of the suspension onto a
BAP as a purity check and streak on the appropriate selective media (refer to
Attachment 2).

iii.	Incubate all plates for 24±2 h at 36±2°C. Record results. Refer to Attachment 2
for results on selective media and diagnostic characteristics of the test microbes.

G.	Following the incubation of the agar plates from step F, place approximately 5 mL sterile


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Date Revised 09-19-22
Page 15 of 17

cryoprotectant solution (TSB with 15% glycerol) equilibrated to 20±5°C on the surface of
each plate. Re-suspend the growth in the cryoprotectant solution using a sterile spreader
without damaging the agar surface. Aspirate the suspension from the plate with a pipette
and place it in a sterile vessel large enough to hold about 30 mL.

H.	Repeat the growth harvesting procedure with the remaining plates and continue adding
the suspension to the vessel (more than 1 vessel may be used if necessary). Mix the
contents of the vessel(s) thoroughly; if more than 1 vessel is used, pool the vessels prior
to aliquoting culture.

I.	Immediately after mixing, dispense aliquots (0.5-1 mL) of the harvested suspension into
cryovials; these represent the frozen stock cultures. Within 60 min after harvesting, store
the cryovials at <-70°C for a maximum 18 months then reinitiate with a new lyophilized
culture.

i.	For QC purposes, perform a streak isolation of the pooled culture onto a BAP as a
purity check and streak on appropriate selective media (refer to Table 1).

ii.	Incubate all plates for 24±2 h at 36±2°C.

iii.	Record results. Refer to Attachment 2 for results on selective media and
diagnostic characteristics of the test microbes.

iv.	After incubation, perform a Gram stain on growth from the BAP; observe the
Gram reaction by using brightfield microscopy at 1000X magnification (oil
immersion).

v.	Conduct Vitek confirmation from growth taken from the BAP. Conduct VITEK
according to the manufacturer's instructions.

vi.	Record all confirmation results on the Test Microbe Confirmation Sheet (Quality
Control) (see section 14).

J. If the characteristics of the organism are not consistent with the information in
Attachment 2 at any step in the process, or the Vitek profile is inconsistent with the
organism, discard the cultures and re-initiate the process.


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SOP No. MB-19-06
Date Revised 09-19-22
Page 16 of 17

Attachment 2

Typical Growth Characteristics of strains of P. aeruginosa (see ref. 15.3) and S. aureus (see ref.
15.4).



P. aeruginosa*

S. aureus*

Gram slain reaction

Negative

Positive

Typical Growth Characteristics on Solid Media

Selective
Media

Mannitol
Salt

No Growth

Circular, small, yellow colonics, agar turning
fluorescent yellow

Cctrimidc

Circular, small, initially opaque, turning
fluorescent green over time: agar fluorescent
yellowish green

No Growth

Blood agar (BAP)

Flat, opaque to off-white, round spreading
(1). metallic sheen, slightly beta hemolytic

Small, circular, yellow or white, glistening,
beta hemolytic

Typical Microscopic Characteristics

Cell appearance

Straight or slightly curved rods, single polar
flagella, rods formed in chains; 0.5-1.0 |im in
diameter by 1.5-5.0 ^m in length

Spherical, occurring singly, in pairs and
tetrads, sometimes forming irregular clusters;
0.5-1.0 |im in diameter

*After 24±2 hours (1) P. aeruginosa may display two phenotypes.


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SOP No. MB-19-06
Date Revised 09-19-22
Page 17 of 17

Attachment 3

Reactor/Tubing Setup for Generation of S. aureus Biofilm (inside 36±2°C incubator)

Equilibrate continuous flow growth
medium by placing approximately
12-15 ft of coiled tubing primed with
continuous flow growth medium in
an incubator 1 day prior to use.


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