DEMONSTRATION OF VIABLE BUT NON CULTURABL E STATE FOR CAMPYLOBACTER-JEJUNI

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.