Enhanced isolation of Campylobacter jejuni by cold enrichment in Campy-thio broth

Isolation of Campylobacter jejuni from human feces by direct inoculation to Campy-BAP (Scott Laboratories, Inc., Fiskeville, R.I.) was compared with isolation after overnight enrichment at 4 degrees C in Campy-thio broth followed by subculture to Campy-BAP. Of 54 positive specimens, 19 were positive only after enrichment, and 5 were positive only on the direct plate. Among 36 positive patients, 10 were detected by enrichment only and 2 by direct plating only. Laboratories using Campy-BAP should include cold enrichment in Campy-thio broth for optimum recovery of C. jejuni.