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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #66908
Title: MULTIPLEX POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION FOR THE IDENTIFICATION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF CAMPYLOBACTER COLI AND C. JEJUNI

Author
item HARMON, KAREN - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Wesley, Irene
item RANSOM, G - USDA, FSIS

Submitted to: International Association of Milk Food and Environmental Sanitarians
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/3/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Enteropathogenic campylobacters are recognized as one of the most prevalent causes of human foodborne diarrheal illness, with Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli most often involved. Differentiation of these two species has traditionally relied on the hippurate hydrolysis test even though it is only about 90% accurate. We have developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assay for the identification and differentiation of C. coli and C. jejuni. The assay uses two sets of primers and produces a characteristic amplification pattern for each of the two species. To date, 39 strains isolated from raw poultry have been examined in order to validate the efficacy of the method. In all but one case, the mPCR results agreed with those obtained by conventional biochemical methods. Ribotyping confirmed the PCR results. The mPCR assay may provide an alternative to traditional biochemical typing methods for the identification and differentiation of C. coli and C. jejuni. It is accurate, simple to perform, and can be completed within 8 hours.