Recovery of viable but non-culturable Campylobacter jejuni cells in two animal models

As in many bacteria, including such pathogens as Salmonella enteritidis, en terotoxic Escherichia coil, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio cholerae, the occurre nce of a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state has been described for Camp ylobacter jejuni. This bacteria has been recognized as a leading foodborne pathogen in this study, VBNC cells from three C. jejuni human isolates were suspended in microcosm wafer at 4 degrees C and entered the VBNC state. Th e metabolic activity of these VBNC cells was monitored by CTC reduction. On ce in VBNC state, the strains were inoculated per os into newborn mice and 1-day-old chicks so as to evaluate and compare these animal models of VBNC cell recovery. The three strains used in this experiment were revived using the murine model, whereas only two strains were revived with the chick mod el The results show that the murine model permits better recovery than the 1-day chick model All three strains revived exhibited an associative index very similar to that measured in the culturable state. This study indicates that the VBNC state should be considered as playing a role in the epidemio logy of Campylobacter infection. (C) 1999 Academic Press.