17th November 2016 Microbiology Gram-negative Spiral Rods - Campylobacter and Helicobacter Phylogenetic Tree of the Proteobacteria - part of the epsilon sub-division Defining characteristics of epsilon proteobacteria · Gram-negative · Motile - amphitrichous or liphotrichious · Spirilla - cork-screw like body/ curved rod · Microaerophilic - needs oxygen but at a reduced level of about 5% (more oxygen is toxic) History of Campylobacter In 1906, John McFadyean found the organism whilst aborting sheep; it was called Vibrio fetus In 1931 it was named Vibrio jejuni, after it being found that the jejunum was the first part of the intestine to be infected. In 1946 it was named Illinois jail after the link between inmates and what they ate. This was a strong link to why there were all-ill, as campylobacter was found in the unpasteurized milk. In 1973 it was finally called Campylobacter Living along side for a long time Zoonosies - animal reservoir and get to humans through interaction with animals Vibrio - comma like shape Campylobacter It is part of the family Campylobacteriaceae Campylobacter: - C. fetus - it is a type strain meaning it is a species of Campylobacter that represents all the features the other species would have - 17 (ac. About 20) species of Campylobacter currently described Enteropathogenic group - affect the gut - C. jejuni - chicken is the main vehicle - C. coli - pork is the main vehicle - C. lari - seagulls are the main vehicle - C. upsaliensis and helveticus - causes diarrhoea in pets All these are the most problematic strains of Campylobacter These strains are zoonotic, where you can catch them off of animals - don't have to consume the animal, just need to interact with it.
17th November 2016 Microbiology Campylobacter physiology Microaerophilic, meaning it requires oxygen at a reduced level: 5% O2 : 10% CO2 : 85% N2 They are grown under gaseous conditions in specialised chambers or gas jars, where the gas concentration can be altered to the optimum percentages. It is a Gram negative organism which is also: - Oxidase-positive - Catalase-positive - Urease-negative (where as helicobacter is positive) It has polar flagellum, which can be amphitrichous Aw >0.98 - It needs an incredibly moist environment to grow, needs lots of free water Thermophilic - It is classed as a thermophile to recognise that it has a very high optimum in relation to its growth 42 ?, however, principally a thermophile has the temperature ranges of 62 to over 100? and campylobacter's optimum is 37 and 42 °C. 25 ? (room temperature) is too cold; they need to live in warm blooded animals. VNC - viable not culturable - Viable but nonculturable (VBNC) bacteria refers to bacteria that are in a state of very low metabolic activity and do not divide, but are alive and have the ability to become culturable once resuscitated Campylobacter is the number one cause for diarrhoea in people It is a fastidious organism, because it is very fussy with