Evaluation of media for isolation of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni from fecal specimens

Isolation rates of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni from human fecal specimens were equivalent after broth enrichment (thioglycolate medium containing antibiotics) and direct inoculation on two brucella blood agar media containing ferrous sulfate, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium pyruvate, identical concentrations of vancomycin and trimethoprim, and different concentrations of polymyxin B and cephalothin. Studies with clinical isolates of C. fetus subsp. jejuni demonstrated temperature-dependent activity of polymyxin E (colistin) and substantial inhibition of growth on Thayer-Martin and Martin-Lewis media.