ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to assess the API Campy system for characterization of Campylobacter strains. Forty-eight Campylobacter strains were isolated from 22 three-week-old broiler flocks: 15 from cecal droppings, 5 from feces, 3 from cloacal swabs, and 21 from carcasses. The strains were presumptively analyzed by phase contrast microscopy, Gram staining, catalase/oxidase activity, and latex agglutination test, and were then inoculated into the API Campy system, which consists of enzyme-linked and conventional assays under aerobic conditions and assimilation or inhibition tests under microaerophilic conditions, both incubated at 37º C for 24–48 hours, the readings made with a computerized system. A total of 43 strains (89.58%) could be identified, whereas 5 (10.41%) yielded an unacceptable profile. The following species were identified: C. jejuni subsp. jejuni (68.8%), C. coli (8.3%), C. jejuni subsp doylei (6.3%), C. upsaliensis (4.2%) and C. fetus subsp. fetus (2.1%). An 81.8% prevalence was found for Campylobacter in broiler flocks, mainly Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni, identified by the API Campy system, showing a larger number of species, subspecies and biotypes of Campylobacter among the strains isolated from carcasses than among the clinical strains obtained from poultry farms.
KEY WORDS
API Campy system;
Campylobacter
; enzyme-linked conventional assay assimilation tests; microaerophilic conditions