Comparative performance of different PCR assays for the identification of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli.
The sensitivity and specificity of 7 PCR assays described for the identification of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli were examined using alkaline cell lysates from a collection of 100 well characterized reference strains of C. jejuni, C. coli, Campylobacter lari and related Campylobacter, Helicobacter and Arcobacter species. Based on a preliminary evaluation, one multiplex test was excluded from further evaluation. The various assays differed considerably in sensitivity and specificity towards their target species. For C. coli, 4 of the 5 assays were 100% specific and sensitive, but for C. jejuni, none of the 5 assays were found to be 100% specific or sensitive. Subsequently, a statistically valid sample (n=263) was taken from a Belgian collection of 1906 human Campylobacter field isolates. This second collection was used to further evaluate two selected multiplex PCR assays. The present study indicates that PCR-based identification using each of the two selected multiplex PCR assays was highly reliable. The R-mPCR assay, followed by species-specific PCR assays or the ceu-oxr mPCR assay if necessary, is our current strategy of choice for the molecular identification of C. jejuni and C. coli. Results presented here should aid researchers in selecting a PCR assay suitable for their specific needs.
Debruyne
Lies
L
Department of Biochemistry, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. lies.debruyne@ugent.be
Samyn
Emly
E
De Brandt
Evie
E
Vandenberg
Olivier
O
Heyndrickx
Marc
M
Vandamme
Peter
P
D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D017000:Campylobacter coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004269:DNA, Bacterial