Characterization of Campylobacter jejuni/coli-isolates from human faeces

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

• Campylobacter jejuni/coli are significant causes of acute enteritis.
• Understanding the phenotypic diversity of these bacteria is crucial for diagnosis and epidemiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To phenotypically characterize Campylobacter jejuni/coli strains isolated from patients with acute enteritis.
• To investigate potential geographical variations in Campylobacter jejuni/coli phenotypes.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of Campylobacter jejuni/coli from faeces of 240 patients.
• Assessment of various biochemical and growth characteristics including H2S production, hippurate hydrolysis, DNase activity, alkaline phosphatase, beta-lactamase, menaquinone presence, and selenite reduction.
• Phenotypic grouping based on key characteristics (H2S, hippurate hydrolysis, DNase, alkaline phosphatase).

Main Results:

• Nine distinct phenotypic groups were identified among the isolates.
• Group 2 (DNase+, H2S+, hippurate hydrolysis+, alk. phosphatase-) and Group 8 (DNase-, H2S+, hippurate hydrolysis+, alk. phosphatase-) were the most prevalent, each comprising 32% of strains.
• Comparison with a US-based study suggested potential geographical variations in Campylobacter jejuni/coli phenotypes, with US isolates fitting well into Group 1.

Conclusions:

• Phenotypic characterization revealed significant diversity within Campylobacter jejuni/coli strains causing enteritis.
• The prevalence of specific phenotypic groups suggests dominant strains in the study population.
• Observed differences compared to historical data indicate possible geographical variations in Campylobacter jejuni/coli epidemiology.