Evaluation of CAMPYLOBACTER QUIK CHEK™ rapid membrane enzyme immunoassay to detect Campylobacter spp. antigen in stool samples

Abstract

Campylobacter spp. enteritis is the most frequent bacterial enteritis in both adults and children and is sometimes a source of severe complications. Its diagnosis by culture suffers from a lack of sensitivity and delays the result, preventing an early initiation of optimal antibiotic therapy in some cases. Our aim was to test a new rapid immuno-enzymatic method for Campylobacter spp. diagnosis in comparison to a composite reference standard (CRS). Stool samples from the French National Reference Center for Campylobacter and Helicobacter were tested with the CAMPYLOBACTER QUIK CHEK™ (Abbott). The CRS used to consider a case positive for Campylobacter spp. was a positive culture and, in case of a negative culture, a positive result obtained with both an ELISA and a molecular test. One hundred and eight stools were included: 53 were positive according to the CRS. If performed alone, culture would have missed 5 cases which the CAMPYLOBACTER QUIK CHEK™ detected. Finally, the CAMPYLOBACTER QUIK CHEK™ showed a sensitivity of 96.2% and a specificity of 94.5% and is relevant for clinical practice. Given the characteristics of the new method, it can be used as a screening method for Campylobacter spp. detection.

Prevalence and Distribution of Thermotolerant <i>Campylobacter</i> Species in Poultry: A Comprehensive Review with a Focus on the Factors Affecting the Detection and Enumeration of <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> and <i>Campylobacter coli</i> in Chicken Meat

“…Serological methods (i.e., immunoassays) (e.g., enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; ELISA) [124][125][126][127][128], biosensors for the on-site detection of foodborne pathogens [129,130], DNA hybridization techniques (e.g., loop-mediated isothermal amplification; LAMP) [126,131,132], DNA fingerprinting techniques (e.g., multilocus sequence typing; MLST) [133][134][135] and above all PCR-based method and techniques (e.g., multiplex PCR; mPCR, quantitative or real time PCR; qPCR/rt-PCR), have been developed for the fastest and most efficient identification and differentiation of Campylobacter species among other foodborne pathogens. It should be noted though that some DNA fingerprinting techniques are more sophisticated (e.g., pulsed-field gel electrophoresis; PFGE, whole-genome sequencing; WGS) and require well-trained personnel with a know-how-to conduct the technique and interpret the data.…”

Diagnostic performance of microscopic stool examination in Campylobacter infection performed by different medical specialties

“…Nevertheless, our study indicated that microscopic examinations by physicians could not reliably rule out Campylobacter infection. Antigen testing showed higher sensitivity than microscopic examinations, and the interpretation of the test results can be more objective, although evaluated only in a small study population 10,19 and not commercially Multiplex molecular assays have demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance 16,17 ; however, the requirement of special equipment and expensive examination cost can limit their clinical usefulness. Given that most patients with gastroenteritis suffer mild illnesses in the primary care settings, the use of multiplex molecular assays should be reserved for hospitalized or emergency department patients.…”

Isolation, characterization, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from raw meat of large livestock in Iran

“…The lack of a national surveillance program, which limits the regular supply of cultures for Campylobacter spp. isolation in clinical practice and research, and the need for a selective medium and a specific growth environment make it difficult to accurately assess the impact of the disease in Iran (12).…”