Bacteria species identification by the statistical analysis of bacterial colonies Fresnel patterns

Bacterial Colony Phenotyping with Hyperspectral Elastic Light Scattering Patterns

The elastic light-scatter (ELS) technique, which detects and discriminates microbial organisms based on the light-scatter pattern of their colonies, has demonstrated excellent classification accuracy in pathogen screening tasks. The implementation of the multispectral approach has brought further advantages and motivated the design and validation of a hyperspectral elastic light-scatter phenotyping instrument (HESPI). The newly developed instrument consists of a supercontinuum (SC) laser and an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF). The use of these two components provided a broad spectrum of excitation light and a rapid selection of the wavelength of interest, which enables the collection of multiple spectral patterns for each colony instead of relying on single band analysis. The performance was validated by classifying microflora of green-leafed vegetables using the hyperspectral ELS patterns of the bacterial colonies. The accuracy ranged from 88.7% to 93.2% when the classification was performed with the scattering pattern created at a wavelength within the 473-709 nm region. When all of the hyperspectral ELS patterns were used, owing to the vastly increased size of the data, feature reduction and selection algorithms were utilized to enhance the robustness and ultimately lessen the complexity of the data collection. A new classification model with the feature reduction process improved the overall classification rate to 95.9%.

Optical multi-channel interrogation instrument for bacterial colony characterization

A single instrument that includes multiple optical channels was developed to simultaneously measure various optical and associated biophysical characteristics of a bacterial colony. The multi-channel device can provide five distinct optical features without the need to transfer the sample to multiple locations or instruments. The available measurement channels are bright-field light microscopy, 3-D colony-morphology map, 2-D spatial optical-density distribution, spectral forward-scattering pattern, and spectral optical density. The series of multiple morphological interrogations is beneficial in understanding the bio-optical features of a bacterial colony and the correlations among them, resulting in an enhanced power of phenotypic bacterial discrimination. To enable a one-shot interrogation, a confocal laser scanning module was built as an add-on to an upright microscope. Three different-wavelength diode lasers were used for the spectral analysis, and high-speed pin photodiodes and CMOS sensors were utilized as detectors to measure the spectral OD and light-scatter pattern. The proposed instrument and algorithms were evaluated with four bacterial genera, Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus; their resulting data provided a more complete picture of the optical characterization of bacterial colonies.

On the application of multi-parametric optical phenotyping of bacterial colonies for multipurpose microbiological diagnostics

The development of new diagnostics techniques and modalities is critical for early detection of microbial contamination. In this study, the novel integrated system for multi-parametric optical phenotyping and characterization of bacterial colonies, is presented. The system combines Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a spectral imaging system for capturing multispectral diffraction patterns and multispectral two-dimensional transmission maps of bacterial colonies, along with the simultaneous interferometric profilometry. The herein presented investigation was carried out on five representative bacteria species and nearly 3000 registered multispectral optical signatures. The interferograms were analyzed by four-step phase shift algorithm to reconstruct the colony profile to enable the obtaining of the comparable optical signatures. The dedicated image processing algorithms were used for extraction of quantitative features of these signatures. The random forest algorithm was applied for selection of the most predictive set of features, which were used in classification model based on Support-Vector Machine. Obtained results have shown that the use of multiple multispectral optical signatures provide a multi-parametric bacteria identification at an exceptionally high accuracy (99.4-100%), significantly better than in case of classification based on each of these signatures (multispectral diffraction patterns, two-dimensional transmission coefficient maps), separately. Obtained results revealed that analysis of multispectral signatures can also be applied for characterisation of physical, physicochemical and chemical properties of the bacterial colonies in the presence of the antimicrobial factors. Therefore, the proposed label-free, non-destructive optical technique has perspectives to be exploited in the multipurpose diagnostics and it can be used as a pre-screening tool in microbiological laboratories.

Development of the Correction Algorithm to Limit the Deformation of Bacterial Colonies Diffraction Patterns Caused by Misalignment and Its Impact on the Bacteria Identification in the Proposed Optical Biosensor

Recently proposed methods of bacteria identification in optical biosensors based on the phenomenon of light diffraction on macro-colonies offer over 98% classification accuracy. However, such high accuracy relies on the comparable and repeatable spatial intensity distribution of diffraction patterns. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate all non-species/strain-dependent factors affecting the diffraction patterns. In this study, the impact of the bacterial colony and illuminating beam misalignment on the variation of classification features extracted from diffraction patterns was examined. It was demonstrated that misalignment introduced by the scanning module significantly affected diffraction patterns and extracted classification features used for bacteria identification. Therefore, it is a crucial system-dependent factor limiting the identification accuracy. The acceptable misalignment level, when the accuracy and quality of the classification features are not affected, was determined as no greater than 50 µm. Obtained results led to development of image-processing algorithms for determination of the direction of misalignment and concurrent alignment of the bacterial colonies’ diffraction patterns. The proposed algorithms enable the rigorous monitoring and controlling of the measurement’s conditions in order to preserve the high accuracy of bacteria identification.

Integrated multi-channel optical system for bacteria characterization and its potential use for monitoring of environmental bacteria

The potential use of a novel multichannel optical system towards fast and non-destructive bacteria identification and its application for environmental bacteria characterisation on the strain level is presented. It is the first attempt to use the proposed optical method to study various bacteria species (Gram-negative, Gram-positive) commonly present in the environment. The novel configuration of the optical system enables multichannel examination of bacterial colonies and provides additional functionality such as registration of two-dimensional (2D) distribution of monochromatic transmission coefficient of examined colonies, what can be used as a novel optical signature for bacteria characterization. Performed statistical analysis indicates that it is possible to identify representatives of environmental soil bacteria on the species level with the 98.51% accuracy and in case of two strains of Rahnella aquatilis bacteria on the strain level with the 98.8% accuracy. The proposed method is an alternative to the currently used preliminary bacteria examination in environment safety control with the advantage of being fast, reliable, non-destructive and requiring minimal sample preparation.

Development of a multispectral light-scatter sensor for bacterial colonies

We report a multispectral elastic-light-scatter instrument that can simultaneously detect three-wavelength scatter patterns and associated optical densities from individual bacterial colonies, overcoming the limits of the single-wavelength predecessor. Absorption measurements on liquid bacterial samples revealed that the spectroscopic information can indeed contribute to sample differentiability. New optical components, including a pellicle beam splitter and an optical cage system, were utilized for robust acquisition of multispectral images. Four different genera and seven shiga toxin producing E. coli serovars were analyzed; the acquired images showed differences in scattering characteristics among the tested organisms. In addition, colony-based spectral optical-density information was also collected. The optical model, which was developed using diffraction theory, correctly predicted wavelength-related differences in scatter patterns, and was matched with the experimental results. Scatter-pattern classification was performed using pseudo-Zernike (GPZ) polynomials/moments by combining the features collected at all three wavelengths and selecting the best features via a random-forest method. The data demonstrate that the selected features provide better classification rates than the same number of features from any single wavelength. Three wavelength-merged scatter pattern from E. coli.

Reflected scatterometry for noninvasive interrogation of bacterial colonies

A phenotyping of bacterial colonies on agar plates using forward-scattering diffraction-pattern analysis provided promising classification of several different bacteria such as Salmonella, Vibrio, Listeria, and E. coli. Since the technique is based on forward-scattering phenomena, light transmittance of both the colony and the medium is critical to ensure quality data. However, numerous microorganisms and their growth media allow only limited light penetration and render the forward-scattering measurement a challenging task. For example, yeast, Lactobacillus, mold, and several soil bacteria form colorful and dense colonies that obstruct most of the incoming light passing through them. Moreover, blood agar, which is widely utilized in the clinical field, completely blocks the incident coherent light source used in forward scatterometry. We present a newly designed reflection scatterometer and validation of the resolving power of the instrument. The reflectance-type instrument can acquire backward elastic scatter patterns for both highly opaque media and colonies and has been tested with three different bacterial genera grown on blood agar plates. Cross-validation results show a classification rate above 90% for four genera.

Novel Perspectives on the Characterization of Species-Dependent Optical Signatures of Bacterial Colonies by Digital Holography

The use of light diffraction for the microbiological diagnosis of bacterial colonies was a significant breakthrough with widespread implications for the food industry and clinical practice. We previously confirmed that optical sensors for bacterial colony light diffraction can be used for bacterial identification. This paper is focused on the novel perspectives of this method based on digital in-line holography (DIH), which is able to reconstruct the amplitude and phase properties of examined objects, as well as the amplitude and phase patterns of the optical field scattered/diffracted by the bacterial colony in any chosen observation plane behind the object from single digital hologram. Analysis of the amplitude and phase patterns inside a colony revealed its unique optical properties, which are associated with the internal structure and geometry of the bacterial colony. Moreover, on a computational level, it is possible to select the desired scattered/diffracted pattern within the entire observation volume that exhibits the largest amount of unique, differentiating bacterial features. These properties distinguish this method from the already proposed sensing techniques based on light diffraction/scattering of bacterial colonies. The reconstructed diffraction patterns have a similar spatial distribution as the recorded Fresnel patterns, previously applied for bacterial identification with over 98% accuracy, but they are characterized by both intensity and phase distributions. Our results using digital holography provide new optical discriminators of bacterial species revealed in one single step in form of new optical signatures of bacterial colonies: digital holograms, reconstructed amplitude and phase patterns, as well as diffraction patterns from all observation space, which exhibit species-dependent features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on bacterial colony analysis via digital holography and our study represents an innovative approach to the subject.

Label-free identification of individual bacteria using Fourier transform light scattering

Rapid identification of bacterial species is crucial in medicine and food hygiene. In order to achieve rapid and label-free identification of bacterial species at the single bacterium level, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an optical method based on Fourier transform light scattering (FTLS) measurements and statistical classification. For individual rod-shaped bacteria belonging to four bacterial species (Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus casei, and Bacillus subtilis), two-dimensional angle-resolved light scattering maps are precisely measured using FTLS technique. The scattering maps are then systematically analyzed, employing statistical classification in order to extract the unique fingerprint patterns for each species, so that a new unidentified bacterium can be identified by a single light scattering measurement. The single-bacterial and label-free nature of our method suggests wide applicability for rapid point-of-care bacterial diagnosis.

On the application of optical forward-scattering to bacterial identification in an automated clinical analysis perspective

The Optical Forward Scattering (OFS) technique can be used to identify pathogens by direct observation of bacteria colonies growing on a culture plate. The identification is based on the acquisition of scattering images from isolated colonies and their subsequent comparison with reference images acquired from known bacteria. The technique has been mainly studied for the identification of pathogens in the food-safety field. This paper focuses on the possibility of extending the applicability of the technique to the field of clinical laboratory automation. This scenario requires that the paradigm of image acquisition at fixed colony-dimension, well established in the food-safety applications, should be substituted by an acquisition at fixed incubation time. As a consequence, the scatterometer must be adjustable in real-time for adapting to the actual features of the bacterial colony. The paper describes an OFS system prototype qualified by the possibility to tune both the laser beam diameter and the acquisition camera field of view. Preliminary experiments on bacteria cultures from pathogens causing infections of the urinary tract show that the proposed approach is promising for the development of an automated bacteria identification station. The new OFS approach also involves an alternative method for building a reference image database for subsequent image analysis.

Bacteria identification in an optical system with optimized diffraction pattern registration condition supported by enhanced statistical analysis

It is possible to identify bacteria species basing on their diffraction patterns followed by statistical analysis. The new approach exploits two steps: optimization of the recording conditions and introduction of new interpretable features for the identification. First, optimal diffraction registration plane, was determined. Next, results were verified by the analysis workflow based on ANOVA and Fisher divergence for feature selection, QDA and SVM models for classification and identification and CV with stratified sampling, sensitivity and specificity for performance assessment of the identification process. The proposed approach resulted in high sensitivity 0.9759 and specificity 0.9903 with very small identification error 1.34%.

Laser-induced speckle scatter patterns in Bacillus colonies

Label-free bacterial colony phenotyping technology called BARDOT (Bacterial Rapid Detection using Optical scattering Technology) provided successful classification of several different bacteria at the genus, species, and serovar level. Recent experiments with colonies of Bacillus species provided strikingly different characteristics of elastic light scatter (ELS) patterns, which were comprised of random speckles compared to other bacteria, which are dominated by concentric rings and spokes. Since this laser-based optical sensor interrogates the whole volume of the colony, 3-D information of micro- and macro-structures are all encoded in the far-field scatter patterns. Here, we present a theoretical model explaining the underlying mechanism of the speckle formation by the colonies from Bacillus species. Except for Bacillus polymyxa, all Bacillus spp. produced random bright spots on the imaging plane, which presumably dependent on the cellular and molecular organization and content within the colony. Our scatter model-based analysis revealed that colony spread resulting in variable surface roughness can modify the wavefront of the scatter field. As the center diameter of the Bacillus spp. colony grew from 500 to 900 μm, average speckles area decreased two-fold and the number of small speckles increased seven-fold. In conclusion, as Bacillus colony grows, the average speckle size in the scatter pattern decreases and the number of smaller speckle increases due to the swarming growth characteristics of bacteria within the colony.

Angle-resolved light scattering of individual rod-shaped bacteria based on Fourier transform light scattering

Two-dimensional angle-resolved light scattering maps of individual rod-shaped bacteria are measured at the single-cell level. Using quantitative phase imaging and Fourier transform light scattering techniques, the light scattering patterns of individual bacteria in four rod-shaped species (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus casei, Synechococcus elongatus, and Escherichia coli) are measured with unprecedented sensitivity in a broad angular range from −70° to 70°. The measured light scattering patterns are analyzed along the two principal axes of rod-shaped bacteria in order to systematically investigate the species-specific characteristics of anisotropic light scattering. In addition, the cellular dry mass of individual bacteria is calculated and used to demonstrate that the cell-to-cell variations in light scattering within bacterial species is related to the cellular dry mass and growth.

Degeneration of Fraunhofer diffraction on bacterial colonies due to their light focusing properties examined in the digital holographic microscope system

The degeneration of Fraunhofer diffraction conditions in the optical system with converging spherical wave illumination for bacteria species identification based on diffraction patterns is analyzed by digital holographic methods. The obtained results have shown that the colonies of analyzed bacteria species act as biological lenses with the time-dependent light focusing properties, which are characterized and monitored by means of phase retrieval from sequentially captured digital holograms. This significantly affects the location of Fraunhofer patterns observation plane, which is continuously shifted across optical axis in time.