Typing of Campylobacter pylori by bacterial DNA restriction endonuclease analysis and determination of plasmid profile

Campylobacter pylori isolates from 37 symptomatic patients and 3 asymptomatic volunteers were examined by chromosomal DNA restriction endonuclease analysis and determination of plasmid profile. Restriction digests with HindIII, HaeIII, PvuII, and BglII produced clear and reproducible results that permitted discrimination between different strains. Only 35% of C. pylori isolates were found to have plasmid DNA. Isolates from different patients, including those from two pairs of siblings, had unique restriction patterns and plasmid profiles. Consecutive isolates obtained 1 year apart from each of two asymptomatic volunteers had identical restriction patterns and plasmid profiles, suggesting persistence of the same strain. A pair of isolates obtained one year apart from the third volunteer differed in plasmid DNA content but had similar chromosomal DNA restriction patterns. Plasmid profile determination and bacterial DNA restriction endonuclease analysis provide a reliable means of discriminating between different strains of C. pylori and may be useful for typing these organisms in epidemiologic studies.