Biotypes, serogroups and antibiotic susceptibility of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in Chile

Phenotypic markers were studied in 105 strains of thermophilic campylobacters isolated from human beings, animals and drinking water in Santiago, Chile. The strains were identified as Campylobacter jejuni (n = 49) and Campylobacter coli (n = 56). Biotypes I and II (Lior schema) accounted for 96% C. jejuni isolates, the other 4% being biotype IV but the two biotypes of C. coli were about equally represented. A total of 28 serogroups (Lior's heat-labile antigens) were identified. Lior 13, 9, 79, 2 and 4 were prevalent among the C. jejuni, while Lior 8, 21 and 29/75 were prevalent among the C. coli isolates. These serogroups accounted for 73% all isolates. The distribution of biotypes and serogroups in patients and asymptomatic persons were similar. Human campylobacters were often resistant to ampicillin (31%) but sensitive to erythromycin and furazolidone. Swine C. coli isolates proved resistant to streptomycin (46%), tetracycline (38%) and erythromycin (15%). Determination of phenotypic and serological characters provides valuable epidemiological markers in the study of campylobacter infections.