Fig. 2

a. Comparison of percentage of live cells between the lock therapy models. P values were calculated by comparing the median (IQR) values using the Kruskal-Wallis test. b. Confocal laser scanning micrograph of treated and non-treated biofilms of P. aeruginosa recovered from the sonicate of the endotracheal tube segments. Samples of the sonicate were stained using the Live/dead® BacLight kit™ (magnification ×1500). Bacteria recovered from 3 different ETTs were quantified (over 1000 cells per condition of single dose lock therapy and 5-day lock therapy). A single representative picture depicting the highest cell counts is reported for each model. c. Confocal laser scanning micrograph of the external surface of endotracheal tubes in the lock therapy and control groups. Samples were stained using the Live/dead® BacLight kit™ (magnification ×250). The white arrow indicated the endotracheal tube wall. A single representative picture depicting the greatest biofilm accumulation is reported for each model. d. Scanning electron micrographs of the external surface of the endotracheal tubes in the lock therapy and control groups. Samples were fixed in glutaraldehyde, dehydrated in graded alcohol, and sputter-coated with gold atoms (magnification ×1500). The white arrow indicated the distortion of sessile cells. A single representative picture depicting the greatest cell deformation is reported for each model. ALT, antibiotic lock therapy; SLT, saline lock therapy; SD, single dose; 5D, 5-day