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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2006, p. 2019-2024, Vol. 44, No. 6
0095-1137/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.02566-05
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Identification of Campylobacter fetus Subspecies by Phenotypic Differentiation and PCR

Frank Schulze,1* Audrey Bagon,2 Wolfgang Müller,1 and Helmut Hotzel1

Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Jena, Germany,1 Rinderunion Baden-Württemberg, Herbertingen, Germany2

Received 9 December 2005/ Returned for modification 26 January 2006/ Accepted 29 March 2006

The species Campylobacter fetus is divided into the subspecies C. fetus subsp. venerealis and C. fetus subsp. fetus, which differ in their epidemiologies and clinical importance. The differences between these subspecies make accurate distinction between the two essential. First, the value of seven key tests for the traditional differentiation of C. fetus was investigated. Afterwards, the results of the phenotypic differentiation and PCR were compared to address the question of the reliability of this PCR assay. Altogether, 103 C. fetus isolates were investigated, including the type strains of C. fetus subsp. fetus and C. fetus subsp. venerealis. Depending on the result of the glycine tolerance test, the isolates could be separated into 81 C. fetus subsp. venerealis isolates (glycine intolerant) and 22 C. fetus subsp. fetus isolates (glycine tolerant). For all C. fetus subsp. venerealis strains tested, the results of the selenite reduction assay and sensitivity to metronidazole and cefoperazone completely agreed with the results of the glycine tolerance test (correspondence, 100%). Seventy-three C. fetus subsp. venerealis isolates did not grow at 42°C (correspondence, 90.1%), but eight isolates showed a faintly discernible, flat, dark gray growth. For 22 C. fetus subsp. fetus isolates, the results of additional phenotypic tests only partly agreed with the results of the glycine tolerance test. For C. fetus subsp. fetus the results of the glycine tolerance test showed a relatively good correspondence with those of the selenite reduction assay (correspondence, 81.8%), assays for cefoperazone resistance (correspondence, 86.4%), and assays for growth at 42°C (correspondence, 81.8%). The results of the glycine tolerance test and PCR completely agreed for the 103 C. fetus isolates tested. We conclude that at present the traditional phenotypic characterization of C. fetus subspecies under strongly defined conditions remains indispensable, but this PCR assay constitutes a valuable adjunctive technique for the confirmation of phenotypic results.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institut für Molekulare Pathogenese, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany. Phone: 49-3641-804240. Fax: 49-3641-804228. E-mail: frank.schulze{at}fli.bund.de.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2006, p. 2019-2024, Vol. 44, No. 6
0095-1137/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.02566-05
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Harwood, L. J., Thomann, A., Brodard, I., Makaya, P. V., Perreten, V. (2009). Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis transport medium for enrichment and PCR. Vet Rec. 165: 507-508 [Full Text]  
  • Zan Bar, T., Yehuda, R., Hacham, T., Krupnik, S., Bartoov, B. (2008). Influence of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus on ram sperm cell quality. J Med Microbiol 57: 1405-1410 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Decousser, J.-W., Prouzet-Mauleon, V., Bartizel, C., Gin, T., Colin, J.-P., Fadel, N., Holler, C., Pollet, J., Megraud, F. (2007). Fatal Relapse of a Purulent Pleurisy Caused by Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45: 2334-2336 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


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