Identification of Campylobacter jejuni , C. coli , C. lari , C. upsaliensis , Arcobacter butzleri , and A. butzleri -Like Species Based on the glyA Gene

Abstract

ABSTRACT Currently, the detection and identification of Campylobacter and Arcobacter species remains arduous, largely due to cross-species phenotypic similarities and a relatively narrow spectrum of biochemical reactivity. We have developed a PCR-hybridization strategy, wherein degenerate primers are used to amplify glyA fragments from samples, which are then subjected to species-specific oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe hybridizations, to identify and distinguish between Campylobacter jejuni , C. coli , C. lari , C. upsaliensis , Arcobacter butzleri , and an A. butzleri -like species. Evaluation of this strategy with genomic DNA from different type strains suggests that this approach is both specific and sensitive and thus may be applicable in a diagnostic assay to identify and differentiate these highly related species.