RAPID AND SENSITIVE DETECTION OF CAMPYLOBACTER SPP FROM CHICKEN USINGTHE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a target region in the flaA gene of C. coli VC167 flagellin was used to detect Campylobacter spp. in chicken without an enrichment culture. DNA extracted from 79 cloaca l swabs from broiler chickens gave an amplification signal in the 450- bp region upon PCR. DNA extracted from 9 enteric and 6 non-enteric org anisms included in the assay as negative controls failed to hybridize with the probe. Direct plating of all cloacal specimens on Campylobact er blood agar plates did not yield any growth. The PCR assay was sensi tive enough to detect between 35-120 bacteria per PCR and thus provide a basis for detecting Campylobacter spp. in poultry.