IDENTIFICATION OF CAMPYLOBACTER-FETUS BY PCR-DNA PROBE METHOD

A PCR method for rapid identification of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fe tus was evaluated. A fragment of the gene coding for 16S rRNA was ampl ified from crude cell lysates of 18 C. fetus strains and 30 strains re presenting other Campylobacter species and subspecies. The amplicons w ere probed by dot blot hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled C. fet us-specific oligonucleotide probe. The probe reacted only with C. fetu s subsp. fetus and C. fetus subsp. venerealis and may be useful for ra pid identification in clinical laboratories.