Identification of Campylobacter fetus by PCR-DNA probe method

Abstract

A PCR method for rapid identification of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus was evaluated. A fragment of the gene coding for 16S rRNA was amplified from crude cell lysates of 18 C. fetus strains and 30 strains representing other Campylobacter species and subspecies. The amplicons were probed by dot blot hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled C. fetus-specific oligonucleotide probe. The probe reacted only with C. fetus subsp. fetus and C. fetus subsp. venerealis and may be useful for rapid identification in clinical laboratories.