A blood-free medium for isolation of thermophilic Campylobacter species

A blood-free medium for the recovery of thermophilic Campylobacter was compared with Butzler Medium Virion during a one-year study using 2,893 human feces samples. Ninety Campylobacter strains (3.1%) were isolated after incubation for 48 h at 42 degrees C in a candle jar atmosphere. Three strains of Campylobacter jejuni were isolated on the blood-free medium only and one on Butzler Medium Virion only. Fecal flora was equally well inhibited on both media except for gram-positive organisms, which were completely inhibited only on the blood-free medium.