The ability of Fla-typing schemes to discriminate between strains of Campylobacter jejuni

Aims: The aim of this investigation was to compare the usefulness of two pr eviously published flagellin PCR-RFLP typing (Fla-typing) techniques for th e subtyping of Campylobacter jejuni strains, in terms of ease of use and di scriminatory power. Methods and Results: Six groups of isolates, which were epidemiologically u nrelated but with similar Fla-types, and five groups of epidemiologically r elated poultry isolates, with similar PFGE profiles, were used in the compa rison. The Fla-typing methods used varied in the number and length of fla-g enes amplified and the restriction enzymes used. In addition, the use of se parately amplified PCR fragments of both the flaA and flaB genes to generat e RFLP profiles was investigated. Conclusions: The results clearly demonstrated that both previously publishe d methods exhibit some advantages over the other. However, optimal discrimi nation was obtained by the use of separately amplified PCR fragments of bot h fla-genes. Significance and Impact of the Study: The subtyping of Camp. jejuni isolate s is considered essential for epidemiological purposes. Genotyping methods are now more frequently used but have yet to be standardized. Fla-typing is a rapid and easy to use method with acceptable discriminatory power. Howev er, the discriminatory power of the currently published Fla-typing techniqu es may be further improved by incorporating RFLP profiles of both fla-genes .