Abstract
In this study, we attempted to evaluate the Campylobacter (cdt gene) PCR Detection and Typing Kit for the rapid detection and identification of Campylobacters in comparison to conventional culture methods. For this purpose, Campylobacter spp. were isolated from retail chicken meats and the Campylobacter-free chicken spiked with C. jejuni, C. coli and C. fetus by the conventional culture methods and the results were compared with those obtained by the kit. Out of 24 chicken samples, C. jejuni and C. coli were isolated from 21 and 7 by various culture methods. Among the samples positive for C. jejuni and/or C. coli, C. jejuni and C. coli were isolated from 19 (90%) and 6 (86%) by the combination of enrichment for 24–48 hours in Bolton or Preston broth and selective culture on mCCDA, which are usually used for isolation of C. jejuni/coli from food samples. On the other hand, C. jejuni and C. coli were detected in 21 and 7 chicken, respectively, by the kit after 24 hour-Preston enrichment culture or 48 hour-Preston or Bolton enrichment culture. In the spike experiment, 102 cfu of C. jejuni, C. coli or C. fetus per 10 g of chicken could be detected by the kit using purified DNA as a PCR template within 24 hour after initiation of enrichment culture. These data indicate that Campylobacter (cdt gene) PCR Detection and Typing Kit may be useful for the rapid detection of C. jejuni, C. coli and C. fetus in meats including chicken.
