Characterization and description of 'Campylobacter upsaliensis' isolated from human feces

Abstract

During a 3-year period, 'Campylobacter upsaliensis' was isolated from 99 patients. Phenotypic characterization and numerical analysis of protein electrophoregrams showed evidence that 'C. upsaliensis' is a distinct Campylobacter species with unique characteristics. The MBCs of 13 antibiotics were determined. In general, these organisms were highly susceptible to drugs that were present in the selective isolation media, making none of the available selective media suitable for the isolation of 'C. upsaliensis'. Ten strains were found to be resistant to erythromycin (MBCs, ≥12.50 mg/liter). Plasmid DNA was detectable in 89 of the 99 strains; 16 plasmid profiles could be identified. Plasmid pattern 16, containing four plasmids of 52, 32, 5.5, and 2.6 megadaltons, represented 60.7% of the plasmid-containing strains. None of the 'C. upsaliensis' strains could be agglutinated with antisera against heat-labile antigens from C. jejuni, C. coli, or C. laridis. 'C. upsaliensis' was found to be susceptible to serum killing and was readily phagocytized by human polymorphonuclear cells.