Virulence spectra of typed strains of Campylobacter jejuni from different sources: a blinded in vivo study

Stewart-Tull, D.E.S., Coote, J.G., Thompson, D.H., Candlish, D., Wardlaw, A.C. and Candlish, A. (2009) Virulence spectra of typed strains of Campylobacter jejuni from different sources: a blinded in vivo study. Journal of Medical Microbiology, 58(5), pp. 546-553. (doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.005611-0) (PMID:19369514)

Abstract

<i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> is a major cause of human diarrhoeal disease, but specific virulence mechanisms have not been well defined. The aims of the present blinded study were to measure and compare the <i>in vivo</i> properties of 40 serotyped, biotyped and genotyped <i>C. jejuni</i> isolates from different sources and genetic makeup. An 11-day-old chick embryo lethality assay, which measured embryo deaths and total viable bacteria over 72 h following inoculation of bacteria into the chorioallantoic membrane, revealed a spectrum of activity within the <i>C. jejuni</i> strains. Human and chicken isolates showed similar high virulence values for embryo deaths while the virulence of the bovine isolates was less pronounced. A one-way ANOVA comparison between the capacity of the strains to kill the chick embryos after 24 h with cytotoxicity towards cultured CaCo-2 cells was significant (<i>P</i>=0.025). After inoculation with a <i>Campylobacter</i> strain, mouse ligated ileal loops were examined histologically and revealed degrees of villous atrophy, abnormal mucosa, dilation of the lumen, congestion and blood in lumen, depending on the isolate examined. A total pathology score', derived for each <i>C. jejuni</i> strain after grading the pathology features for degree of severity, showed no apparent relationship with the source of isolation. Some relationship was found between amplified fragment length polymorphism groups and total ileal loop pathology scores, and a one-way ANOVA comparison of the mouse pathology scores against total chick embryo deaths after 72 h was significant (<i>P</i>=0.049).

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stewart-Tull, Prof Duncan and Coote, Professor John and Wardlaw, Prof Alastair and Candlish, Mrs Denise
• Authors: Stewart-Tull, D.E.S., Coote, J.G., Thompson, D.H., Candlish, D., Wardlaw, A.C., and Candlish, A.
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Medical Microbiology
• ISSN: 0022-2615
• ISSN (Online): 1473-5644