title: Characterization and subgrouping of Campylobacter concisus strains using protein profiles, conventional biochemical testing and antibiotic susceptibility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize and subgroup clinical strains of Campylobacter concisus isolated from patients with gastrointestinal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 109 C. concisus isolates from 98 patients obtained between June 1997 and December 1998 were analysed using protein profiles, conventional biochemical tube tests, ApiCampy, and susceptibility patterns by Neosensitabs and E-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two groups were identified by using protein profiles. One resembled the ATCC 33237 type strain of oral origin, and a second group differing from it, particularly in the high molecular weight zone. Considerable diversity exists in the lower molecular range of the gels, also within assigned subgroups. Biochemical testing showed differences between the groups in the ability to reduce nitrate, ApiCampy testing also yielded differences between the two assigned groups, although reactions were highly heterogeneous. Resistance to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, ceftriaxone and tetracycline occurred in 3%, 13%, 7%, 11% and 0% of the isolates when using Neosensitabs. The E-test yielded comparable results 7%, 5%, 0%, 2% and 3%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicate that C. concisus can be assigned to two broad groups based on differences in protein profiles. No distinct phenotypic marker was identified. Susceptibility patterns are not suitable for discrimination between the two assigned groups. Further studies using a polyphasic approach including the application of genetic methods are needed to assess the complex taxonomy of this potential pathogen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, National University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Denmark.
authors.forename: Rune
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aabenhus
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Permin
authors.forename: Leif P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000379:methods; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins