Serotyping and identification of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli strains of human and animal origin using the PCR method

A total number of 178 strains of Campylobacter spp. from human patients suffering from diarrhea and from the intestinal content of slaughtered pigs and poultry was isolated during years 1996 to 1997. Campylobacter strains were isolated and identified by standard tests and the PCR method using fla A and fla B, as well. Isolates originating from human patients were identified as Campylobacter jejuni (98% = 108 strains) and C. coli (2% = 2 strains). Campylobacter spp. (20) strains obtained from slaughtered pigs were identified using standard tests in 45% (9 strains) and 40% (8 strains) as C. coil and C. jejuni, respectively. Strains of Campylobacter spp. (48) isolated from slaughtered poultry were identified as C. jejuni (89% = 42 strains). Standard tests failed to identify 9 strains; 6 strains were identified as Campylobacter jejuni and C. coil using the PCR method. Serotyping using 34 antisera of the Penner's serotyping scheme was performed in 130 strains of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from poultry and human patients. This method was suitable for identification of almost 80% of C. jejuni strains. We found 10 different serotypes of human C. jejuni strains. There were serotypes (HS) 4, 1 and 9 (32%, 23% and 15%, respectively) predominating in the human population; they were followed by serotypes (HS) 10, 2 and 23 (8%, 5% and 3%, respectively). Animal strains included 7 (HS) serotypes. Like in the human strains, the serotype 4, found in 37% of examined isolates, was predominating. Serotypes 23 and 1 (17% and 15%, respectively) were the next most frequent ones. Comparing the obtained serotypes of human and animal strains we see that there are only 4 identical ones (i.e., 4, 1, 10, 23), which are, however, most frequently occurring in both groups of strains. The PCR methods and serotyping may facilitate and make more accurate the results of standard cultivation and in epidemiologically serious cases help in explaining the route of transmission.