Rp. Evans et al., VISUALIZATION OF BACTERIAL GLYCOCALYX WITH A SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPE, Clinical orthopaedics and related research, (347), 1998, pp. 243-249
Using a new technique for scanning electron microscopic preparation, b
acterial glycocalyx is seen in its natural, highly hydrated state for
the first time, Visual images of the glycocalyx obtained from these pr
eparations are a marked departure from the visual images of glycocalyx
obtained previously with conventional scanning electron microscopic a
nalysis, The dominating presence of glycocalyx visualized in its natur
ally hydrated state gives credence to the role of bacterial glycocalyx
as a mechanical barrier to host defenses and antibiotics and supports
the role of glycocalyx as a significant factor in bacterial virulence
.