Use of a selective enrichment broth for isolation of Campylobacter species from human feces

Isolation of Campylobacter species from 1126 fecal specimens from patients with diarrhea was compared using direct plating and selective enrichment broth. The use of the enrichment broth did not increase the isolation rate, which was 4.2%. While a selective enrichment broth may have advantages where there is delay in transit to the laboratory, or where small numbers of organisms are sought, we do not recommend its use for clinical specimens from patients with diarrhea.