Vibrational spectroscopy as a probe to rapidly detect, identify and characterize microorganisms

Fast and exact identification of a great number of microorganisms is becoming a serious challenge. Differentiation and identification of microorganisms is today mainly achieved by the use of a variety of distinct techniques based on morphological serological aspects and a set of biochemical tests Vibrational spectroscopic techniques (Raman, SERS and IR) can be complementary and useful methods in this field due to their rapidity, "fingerprinting" capabilities, and the molecular information that they can provide. Using SERS at Ag colloids, we have conducted pilot studies to rapidly detect and identify bacterial clinical strains. Using a Raman microspectrometer equipped with a He/Ne laser, a first attempt to record SERS spectra was made on colloidal solutions. Spectra were of good quality but not very reproducible due to the movement of the microorganisms. Strains were then put in presence of Ag colloids and direct on-plate analysis was performed Spectra were more reproducible, with diminished fluorescence, and reveal characteristic cellular-level information Different growth conditions and colloid preparations have been tested. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli clinical strains, responsible for nosocomial infections, have been our first test samples. An attempt has also been made to record SERS data from gold colloids in view of future measurements in the near-infrared Spectroscopic data are compared with ATR-FTIR results.