Jm. Cappelier et M. Federighi, DEMONSTRATION OF VIABLE BUT NON CULTURABL E STATE FOR CAMPYLOBACTER-JEJUNI, Revue de Medecine Veterinaire, 149(4), 1998, pp. 319-326
This study shows the occurence of Viable But Non Culturable (VBNC) for
ms of Campylobacter jejuni, a bacteria involved in human foodborne dis
eases. Thirty six strains of C. jejuni were suspended in distilled wat
er. Though none of the strains did grow in these conditions, a low pro
portion of cells retained metabolically activity, as shown by Direct V
iable Count, and therefore may be called VBNC. For most strains (33/36
), VBNC state was very transient. Three strains gave VBNC for an exten
ded period, with approximately 1% of the cells remaining metabolically
active throughout the study. The incubation temperature was the main
factor for production of VBNC forms of C. jejuni.