Morphological changes of synchronized Campylobacter jejuni populations during growth in single phase liquid culture

Campylobacter jejuni strains demonstrate a variety of growth phase-linked d istinct morphological forms when grown in liquid culture. The typical spira l form of the organism, evident during logarithmic phase, undergoes elongat ion during stationary phase before becoming coccoid via the formation of me mbrane blebs and budded forms in decline phase. Cellular elongation and coc coid Formation occurred despite the inhibition of protein synthesis and wit hout a detectable change in the protein components of the inner and outer c ell membranes.