Diversity of thermophilic Campylobacter isolated from the Bø River, Southeast Norway

Abstract

Out of 125 samples we isolated 45 thermophilic Campylobacter spp. from Bø River by filtration followed by growth on selective agar plates. The species were identified by biotyping, multiplex PCR and riboprinting. C. jejuni represented 17 (37.7%), C. coli 2 (4.4%), C. lari 5 (11.1%), C. hyointestinalis 1 (2.2%) and C. species 20 (44.5%). Five of C. jejuni were classified in ribogroups (DUP-PST1-ID) while four C. lari were identified in three. The RiboPrinter® identified C. hyointestinalis. Dendrogram analysis grouped the isolates into two main clades and seven subclades. C. lari and C. coli were grouped in one clade while most C. spp. and the C. hyointestinalis were grouped in the other. C. jejuni were clustered in five subclades and display a high degree of diversity. Because of the frequent isolation of campylobacters in surface water and the lack of knowledge of the pathogenesis of Campylobacter strains and their virulence factors, special hygienic precautions should be taken to avoid the risk of transmitting campylobacteriosis from water.