Isolation and typing methods for the epidemiologic investigation of thermotolerant campylobacters

Authors

  • Jorge Barros-Velázquez Food Technology Section, Higher Technological School, University of Santiago, Lugo, Spain
  • Ana Jiménez Food Technology Section, Higher Technological School, University of Santiago, Lugo, Spain; and Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
  • Tomás G. Villa Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Keywords:

Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, typing, enteritis, foodborne disease

Abstract

Thermotolerant campylobacters, C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari and C. upsaliensis, are spiral bacteria involved in human enteric disease. The prevalence of these emerging pathogens, mainly C. jejuni and to a lesser extent C. coli, as etiologic agents of enteric disease in industrialized countries has increased over the last decade. The isolation and culture of these microorganisms is tedious and timeconsuming mainly due to their complex nutritional and environmental requirements. This review discusses the techniques and methods developed for the selective isolation of thermotolerant campylobacters from food, environmental and clinical samples. Additionally, both traditional and newer molecular biology techniques applied to this group of thermophilic organisms for typing and taxonomic purposes are summarized.

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Published

2010-03-15

Issue

Section

Review Articles