Figure 5: Confocal laser-scanning microscopy.

(a–d) Maximum intensity projection of fungal filaments from L. sulphureus. Staining with different nucleic acid-specific fluorochromes is shown for Syto9 (a), SybrGreen (b), 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) (c) and Propidium iodide (d). To present the fluorescence emission signals with highest contrast, they are presented as measured by the photomultiplier in 8-bit grey scale. For clarity the reflection signal recorded for the samples in a and b was removed. (e–h) Maximum intensity projection of P. sapidus cultures including the reflection signal (e,f). Staining is shown for different nucleic acid-specific fluorochromes including Syto9 (e), SybrGreen (f), DAPI (g) and Propidium iodide (h). Colour allocation in e and f: Syto9/SybrGreen=green, reflection=grey; (g) DAPI=blue; (h) Propidium iodide=red. Please notice the heterogenic distribution of the nucleic acid signal, which is characteristic for many fungal strains. In addition, it is obvious that no bacterial signal is visible, neither as single cell, microcolony or associated with fungal filaments. Scale bars, 20 μm.