Characterization of Fungal Colonization of Indwelling Esophagostomy Tubes
Figure 2
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of silicone esophagostomy tubes. (a) The luminal surface of a reference tube. The surface is mostly regular with mild imperfections. The scale bar is equal to 10 μm and the original magnification is 1.44K. Photo credit: John Dunlap. (b) Thick biofilm with crevices covering the luminal surface of a tube exposed for 77 days in a cat (case 1). Dense mats of fungal mycelia are visible. The scale bar is equal to 20 μm and the original magnification is 450x. Photo credit: John Dunlap. (c) Biofilm and multiple large pores in the luminal wall of the intraesophageal portion of a tube exposed for 246 days in a dog (case 2). The scale bar is equal to 10 μm and the original magnification is 1.43K. Photo credit: John Dunlap. (d) Mixed biofilm with bacteria and yeast, as well as a multitude of pores, in the luminal wall of the extraesophageal portion of a tube exposed for 246 days in a dog (case 2). The scale bar is equal to 2 μm and the original magnification is 5.75K. Photo credit: John Dunlap.