The use of a combined enrichment-filtration technique for the isolation of Campylobacter spp. from clinical samples

Abstract

A combined non-selective enrichment-filtration technique was investigated for the isolation of Campylobacter spp. from clinical samples. In total, 479 samples were tested by direct culture, enrichment subculture and enrichment-filtration. The enrichment-filtration technique was used with both selective and non-selective media. Direct culture and enrichment subculture yielded 13 and seven isolates, respectively, while enrichment-filtration yielded 18 and 14 isolates on selective and non-selective agar, respectively. Thus, the combination of enrichment-filtration with selective agar produced a 38.5% increase in the number of isolates (p < 0.05). All isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni. © 2007 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.