Detection of Campylobacter jejuni in poultry samples using Florescent in situ Hybridization (FISH)

Abstract

In this study, a protocol using Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (FISH) for the detection of Campylobacter spp., particularly C. jejuni, in naturally contaminated poultry samples was developed and its application evaluated. The protocol used would eliminate the need for the conventional plating of enriched samples, thereby significantly reducing the time needed to detect the presence of Campylobacter spp. Using a fluorescence plate reader, the detection limit for pure C. jejuni was 7.33 log10CFU/ml. Several types of enrichment media were tested and Bolton Broth with (aerobic and microaerophilic) and Bolton with Campylobacter growth supplement (microaerophilic) were most effective for culturing samples spiked with low levels of C. jejuni. Applications of FISH for spiked poultry samples showed that blood will interfere with sample processing and greatly increase non-specific background fluorescence.