Comparison of Media for the Detection of Campylobacter jejuni Using a Commercial RT-PCR System

The accurate quantification of Campylobacter jejuni in poultry samples is critical for ensuring food safety and compliance with regulatory standards. This study evaluated the performance of three enrichment media-Mueller-Hinton Broth (MHB), Bolton's Blood-Free Broth 2x (BFBB2x), and Buffered Peptone Water (BPW)-in supporting C. jejuni detection and quantification using the BAX^® Q7-RT PCR system and traditional plate count methods. Results demonstrated high reliability across all media types, with BFBB2x and MHB showing the strongest correlations (R² = 0.99) for the BAX^® system. BFBB2x exhibited the lowest RMSE (0.13), while MHB balanced precision (RMSE = 0.4) with sensitivity. For plate counts, MHB and BPW achieved the highest correlations (R² = 0.99) and precision (RMSE = 0.26), with MHB demonstrating the lowest detection limit (2.56 log₁₀ CFU/mL) compared to BFBB2x (2.93 log₁₀ CFU/mL) and BPW (3.31 log₁₀ CFU/mL). The findings underscore MHB's robustness as an enrichment medium, offering consistent performance across both molecular and culture-based methods. The current study supports MHB as the more effective medium for the reliable and precise quantification of C. jejuni in poultry-associated matrices, highlighting its utility in minimizing contamination risks and enhancing food safety. Future research should explore its applicability in diverse poultry products and production environments.