Molecular-Based Identification and Typing of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli

Thermophilic Campylobacter spp., mainly Campylobacter jejuni and to a lesser extent C. coli are recognized as the most common bacteriological causes of gastroenteritis in humans (1 ). As enteric infection with Campylobacter organisms cannot be distinguished from that caused by other enteric pathogens, a definitive diagnosis can only be made by isolating or detecting the organism from the feces. The epidemiology of Campylobacter enteritis has been complicated by the ubiquitous nature of the organism (commonly found as a commensal in the intestines of domestic animals, in milk, and in water). Furthermore, identification is carried out only to genus level by most clinical laboratories.