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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #81470
Title: A MULTIPLEX PCR METHOD TO DETECT CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI, C. COLI, AND ARCOBACTER IN LIVESTOCK

Author
item Wesley, Irene
item HARMON, KAREN - USDA, ARS, NADC

Submitted to: Campylobacter Helicobacter and Related Organisms International Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/19/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: We have previously described PCR primers (i) to distinguish simultaneously C. jejuni from C. coli and (ii) to differentiate Arcobacter from other closely related species of Campylobacter. Herein we apply PCR-based techniques to estimate the distribution of these agents in healthy hogs and cattle. To detect Campylobacter, 10% fecal suspensions were streaked onto modified mCCDA, incubated (48 hr) microaerobically (5% 02, 10% C02, 85% N2), and bacterial colonies harvested into TE buffer for PCR. To detect Arcobacter, 10% fecal suspensions (1 ml) were seeded in P-80 semisolid media (9 ml), incubated (30 deg C, 7 days), and an aliquot (200 ul) removed for PCR. In pigs, C. coli (69%), Arcobacter (46%), and C. jejuni (0.28%) were detected in 1,057 fecal samples. Of 1,334 cattle fecal samples analyzed, C. jejuni (43%), Arcobacter (11%), and C. coli (1.57%) were detected by PCR. These results indicate that PCR is an efficient method for screening large numbers of livestock for Campylobacter and Arcobacter.