Rapid Identification of <i>Campylobacter</i> , <i>Arcobacter</i> , and <i>Helicobacter</i> Isolates by PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis of the 16S rRNA Gene

Abstract

A rapid two-step identification scheme based on PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of the 16S rRNA gene was developed in order to differentiate isolates belonging to the Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Helicobacter genera. For 158 isolates (26 reference cultures and 132 clinical isolates), specific RFLP patterns were obtained and species were successfully identified by this assay.