Multiplex polymerase chain reaction for detection of Campylobacter from stool specimen

This was a study to prospectively evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify Campylobacter. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on cadF, hipO & asp gene for Campylobacter genus, C. jejuni & C. coli were tested for detection of Campylobacter jejuni & C. coli in naturally infected faecal samples of human. All the samples were subjected to the cultural isolation of organism and biochemical characterization. The samples resulted in the amplification of a DNA fragment of size 400 bp, 500 bp &735 bp in PCR assay. Two hundred faecal samples comprising diarrheal stools, 23(11.5%) could be detected by isolation whereas 24(12.0%) were found positive by PCR. All culture positive cases were positive by PCR and among 01 culture negative case, were positive by PCR. PCR was found to be more sensitive for Campylobacter detection in faecal samples 12.0% as relative to culture isolation which could detect the organism in 11.5% samples. Sensitivity and specificity of PCR were 100% and 99.4% respectively taking Culture as gold standard. The results depicted the superior efficacy of PCR for rapid screening of samples owing to its high sensitivity, specificity and automation potential.