Absence of clonality of Campylobacter jejuni in serotypes other than HS : 19 associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome and gastroenteritis

Guillain-Barre' syndrome (GBS) is recognized as a complication that occurs after Campylobacter infection. Certain Penner serotypes, such as HS:19, are linked particularly to GBS in some parts of the world, and there is good e vidence for restricted genetic diversity in these isolates. However, GBS al so occurs after Campylobacter infection due to other serotypes. Therefore, we asked whether Campylobacter jejuni non-HS: 19 serotypes associated with GBS have a clonal structure and differ from strains isolated from patients with Campylobacter gastroenteritis. A worldwide selected population of C. j ejuni non-HS: 19 strains associated with GBS and gastroenteritis was analyz ed by use of multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, automated ribotyping, pulse d-field gel electrophoresis, and flagellin gene typing. The results show th at these isolates represent a heterogenic population and do not constitute a unique population across serotypes. No epidemiologic marker for GBS-assoc iated strains was identified.