Use of auxotyping for epidemiological studies of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli infections

Abstract

A chemically defined medium developed for Neisseria gonorrhoeae was modified to support the growth of Campylobacterjejuni and Campylobacter coli. A total of 76 isolates of C. jejuni and 14 isolates of C. coli were tested on this medium, which was designated Campylobacter defined medium (CDM), over a 3-month period. Although none of the C. coli isolates appeared to require amino acids, 51% of the C. jejuni tested required one and 7% required multiple amino acids for growth. An analysis of isolates obtained from three household outbreaks of campylobacteriosis demonstrated that auxotyping identified the epidemic strain within each outbreak. Among 70 isolates of C. jejuni examined, no correlation could be drawn between a specific serotype and auxotype or between auxotype and plasmid profile.

Physiological Activity of Campylobacter jejuni Far below the Minimal Growth Temperature

“…The headspace of these bottles was flushed with a gas mixture as mentioned above (overpressure of 500 hPa). The bottles were incubated stationary for 1 week in water baths at 4,10,20,28,30,31,33,35,37,39,42,44, and 46°C. Samples for plate counts were taken at regular time intervals by piercing the rubber stoppers with a syringe.…”

Oxygen tolerance estimates in Campylobacter species depend on the testing medium

“…The agar-solidified defined media described by Tenover et al (1985) and by Dickgiesser and Czylwik (1985) for auxotyping Camp. jejuni and Camp.…”

“…jejuni and Camp. coli (Tenover et al 1985;Dickgiesser and Czylwik 198.5) but these media have not been used for estimating oxygen tolerance by comparing the number of colonies which develop at various oxygen concentrations.…”

Aerobic growth and survival of Campylobacter jejuni in food and stream water

“…Campylobacter jejuni is generally regarded as requiring oxygen concentrations of 3-15% and carbon dioxide concentrations of 3-5% to grow (Smibert 1986). It can also grow anaerobically in a defined medium (Tenover et al 1985) and some strains have been found to grow slightly under aerobic conditions (Smibert 1986). However, in a more recent report, all Camp.…”