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Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Culture Methods to Determine the Limit of Detection and Survival in Transport Media of Campylobacter Jejuni in Human Fecal Specimens
Published on: March 10, 2020
Detection of Campylobacter species in faecal samples by direct Gram stain microscopy
1Microbiology Unit, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Aims:
To evaluate the Gram stain with carbol-fuchsin counterstain for the rapid detection of Campylobacter species in faecal samples.
Methods:
In total, 842 consecutive diarrhoeic faecal samples were prospectively examined for Campylobacter species by Gram stain and culture.
Results:
Campylobacter species were isolated from 84 faecal samples (all Campylobacter jejuni). Compared with culture, Gram stain microscopy had a sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 99.7%, positive predictive value of 97%, and negative predictive value of 99% for detecting Campylobacter species.
Conclusions:
The direct Gram stain method can provide a presumptive result within 30 minutes of receipt of a faecal sample in the laboratory with relatively high sensitivity, and at low cost. Laboratories in areas where Campylobacter enteritis is common and/or with limited resources for Campylobacter culture should consider adopting this as a routine method.
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