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Table 1 System used to grade biofilm formation

From: Biofilm formation on three different endotracheal tubes: a prospective clinical trial

Biofilm

coverage

Biofilm density

Biofilm thickness scale

Biofilm grade

Determined at 100× to 1000× mag

Determined at 10,000× to 30,000× mag

Determined at 10,000× to 50,000× mag

(coverage + density + thickness)

0 no biofilm

1 scarce (<  10% coverage)

2 clusters (10–70% coverage)

3 confluent (>  70% coverage)

0 no biofilm

1 low/very porous

2 intermediate

3 high/compact

0 no biofilm

1 thin (0.1–1.0 mm)

2 medium (1.1–7 mm)

3 thick (> 7 mm)

0 no biofilm

1–3 low grade

4–6 medium grade

7–9 high grade

  1. The biofilm grade was calculated by adding together the scores for biofilm coverage, density, and thickness. Mag magnification