Figure 5.

SEM images of the susceptibility of preformed biofilms to the materials tested.

Notes: (A, B) MRSA and (C, D) E. coli biofilms formed on the pegs of the CBD in the absence (control) or presence of the SiO₂-G nanohybrids or G, respectively, taken at the magnifications of 5,000× (A, C) and 10,000× (B, D). Red circles demonstrate the intact ultrastructure of the MRSA biofilms treated with the SiO₂-G nanohybrids. Violet ellipses demonstrate scattered E. coli cells with a slightly deformed ultrastructure in biofilms treated with G.

Abbreviations: CBD, Calgary biofilm device; E. coli, Escherichia coli; G, pristine gentamicin; MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; SEM, scanning electron microscope; SiO₂-G, silica–gentamicin.