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Title: APPLICATION OF MULTIPLEX POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION FOR THE RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI AND CAMPYLOBACTER COLI ASSOCIATED WITH REPRODUCTIVE FAILURE

Author
item Wesley, Irene
item SANDERSON, T - BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
item LARSON, D - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Harmon, Karen
item ANDREWS, J - UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
item MISKIMINS, D - SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV
item ZEMAN, D - SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV

Submitted to: American Journal of Veterinary Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/9/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are intestinal bacteria of healthy livestock. However, C. jejuni may cause abortion in sheep, whereas C. coli is rarely associated with reproductive problems. Usually a single biochemical test is used to differentiate C. jejuni from C. coli. However, since this test is not reliable, we used DNA-based methods, including DNA fingerprinting and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to identify bacteria associated with unusual cases of abortion. As a result, we describe the first reports of abortion in sows caused by C. coli and in commercially reared foxes due to C. jejuni. Accurate bacterial identification is of value to producers in identifying the cause of disease and in halting its spread.

Technical Abstract: A multiplex PCR to distinguish C. jejuni from C. coli was used to identify the field isolates associated with reproductive failure. An unusual case of swine abortion due to infection with C. coli is reported. The porcine abortion isolates were verified as C. coli by restriction fragment length polymorphism and multiplex PCR. Cases of endometritis in a fox and in mink caused by C. jejuni are reviewed. These isolates were also confirmed as C. jejuni by multiplex PCR. Because of the specificity of multiplex PCR, it may be useful in verifying other unusual occurrences of campylobacteriosis.