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Title: SPECIFIC IDENTIFICATION OF CAMPYLOBACTER FETUS BY PCR TARGETING VARIABLE REGIONS OF THE 16S RDNA

Author
item OYARZABAL, O - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item WESLEY, IRENE
item HARMON, K - 3625-30-15
item SCHROEDER-TUCKER, L - USDA, APHIS, NVSL
item BARBAREE, J - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item LAUERMAN, L - C S ROBERTS VET DIAGN LAB
item BACKERT, S - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item CONNER, D - AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Veterinary Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/11/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Campylobacter fetus is a veterinary and human pathogen. Abortions and infertility occur in livestock infected with C. fetus. In humans, septicemia may follow consumption of foods contaminated with C. fetus. Current methods for identification of C. fetus are cumbersome and may yield incorrect results. We developed a polymerase chain reaction assay to clearly distinguish C. fetus from other closely related microbes. The assay is accurate, simple to perform, and the results are easily interpreted. The assay requires less than 8 hours to complete, compared to several days or weeks for current methods. This test will be of benefit to diagnostic laboratories in accurately identifying C. fetus as a cause of reproductive problems in livestock. It will assist clinical laboratories in recognizing C. fetus as a cause of septicemia. Information gained from use of this test will benefit action agencies, such as FSIS, APHIS, and FDA Ato assess risks for animal or human disease caused by C. fetus.

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter fetus is recognized as an animal and human pathogen. The isolation and differentiation of C. fetus in diagnostic laboratories is hindered by its fastidious growth requirements and lack of distinguishing biochemical characteristics. We developed a PCR assay that specifically amplifies a 554-bp segment of the 16S rDNA from C. fetus. More than 250 strains of Campylobacter, Arcobacter, Helicobacter, Escherichia, Salmonella, and Listeria were evaluated using this PCR protocol. Only C. fetus strains of subspecies fetus and venerealis were amplified. The detection limit of the technique was 5.9 x 103 CFU/ml. This PCR assay can yield reliable detection of C. fetus within 3 h after isolation of presumptive colonies on agar plates.