Systematic investigation of enrichment media for wild-type Campylobacter jejuni strains

Of the media examined, thioglycolate broth supplemented with 5% lysed sheep blood, Butzler antibiotic mixture, and 0.1% lauryl sulfate was the most sensitive enrichment medium for recovery of wild-type strains of Campylobacter jejuni from cecal contents of chickens and chicken livers. It allowed the retrieval of 1 CFU as did solid media but permitted the screening of 50-times larger volumes. Double-strength enrichment medium required 5 to 10 CFU for growth. Omission of lauryl sulfate reduced the sensitivity. Replacement of Butzler antibiotic mixture with Blaser antibiotic mixture increased overgrowth and, therefore, decreased retrieval of C. jejuni.