Recovery of viable but non-culturable Campylobacter jejuni cells in two animal models

Abstract

As in many bacteria, including such pathogens as Salmonella enteritidis, enterotoxicEscherichia coli, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio cholerae , the occurrence of a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state has been described for Campylobacter jejuni. This bacteria has been recognized as a leading foodborne pathogen. In this study, VBNC cells from three C. jejuni human isolates were suspended in microcosm water at 4°C and entered the VBNC state. The metabolic activity of these VBNC cells was monitored by CTC reduction. Once in VBNC state, the strains were inoculated per os into newborn mice and 1-day-old chicks so as to evaluate and compare these animal models of VBNC cell recovery. The three strains used in this experiment were revived using the murine model, whereas only two strains were revived with the chick model. The results show that the murine model permits better recovery than the 1-day chick model. All three strains revived exhibited an associative index very similar to that measured in the culturable state. This study indicates that the VBNC state should be considered as playing a role in the epidemiology of Campylobacter infection.