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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #72984
Title: DIFFERENTIATION OF CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI AND CAMPYLOBACTER COLI BY POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION

Author
item Harmon, Karen
item RANSOM, G - USDA, FSIS
item Wesley, Irene

Submitted to: Molecular and Cellular Probes
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/10/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are major causes of human foodborne illness. Common sources of infection are undercooked poultry, beef, pork, and raw milk. Laboratory tests for Campylobacter are time- consuming and require specialized media. This study describes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to identify C. jejuni and C. coli. When PCR and dconventional methods were compared, the PCR assay identified 100% of field strains while conventional methods did not. The new test is easy to perform, reliable, and decreases the time and costs required for Campylobacter identification. This test will simplify the identification of C. jejuni and C. coli recovered from livestock and foods. Information gained from use of this test will be of value to action agencies, such as FSIS, APHIS, and FDA, to assess risks for animal or human disease caused by Campylobacter.

Technical Abstract: We have developed a multiplex PCR assay using two primer sets for the identification and differentiation of Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni. Primer Set I amplifies a 460-bp fragment present in C. coli and C. jejuni. Set II amplifies a 160-bp target unique to C. jejuni. When the assay was performed on reference strains, amplification of C. coli yielded only the 460-bp fragment. Amplification of C. jejuni generated both the 160- and 460-bp fragments. Campylobacter field strains (n=85) isolated from raw poultry were identified by PCR and by conventional biochemical methods. Species determination by the two methods agreed for 83 of the 85 isolates examined. By PCR, 23 were identified as C. coli and 62 as C. jejuni. One isolate was unidentifiable by biochemical testing. The PCR assay identified this isolate as C. coli. In addition, one strain which was identified as C. coli by biochemical testing was determined to be C. jejuni by PCR. The PCR assay offers an alternative to traditional biochemical typing methods for the identification and differentiation of C. coli and C. jejuni isolated from poultry. It is accurate, simple to perform, and can be completed within 8 hours.