High-resolution genomic fingerprinting of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli by analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphisms

A method for high-resolution genomic fingerprinting of the enteric pathogen s Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, based on the determination o f amplified fragment length polymorphism, is described. The potential of th is method for molecular epidemiological studies of these species is evaluat ed with 50 type, reference, and well-characterised field strains. Amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprints comprised over 60 bands detected in the size range 35-500 bp. Groups of outbreak strains, replicate subcult ures, and 'genetically identical' strains from humans, poultry and cattle, proved indistinguishable by amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerpr inting, but were differentiated fi-om unrelated isolates. Previously unknow n relationships between three hippurate-negative C. jejuni strains, and two C. coil var, hyoilei strains, were identified. These relationships corresp onded to available epidemiological data. We conclude that this amplified fr agment length polymorphism fingerprinting method may be a highly effective tool for molecular epidemiological studies of Campylobacter spp. (C) 1999 P ublished by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.