Isolation of Campylobacter and Identification byPCR

Campylobacter is now recognized worldwide as a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans (1 ). Campylobacter species are common commensals in the intestinal tracts of poultry and livestock, and food products of animal origin are frequently associated with reported cases of illness (2 ). This chapter provides methods for the identification of C. jejuni and C. coli , which are the two species accounting for the majority of human infections. The protocols are routinely used in our laboratory and are intended to provide workers unfamiliar with Campylobacter culture and identification a useful set of methods to serve as a practical starting point.