Serological testing for campylobacteriosis with sera forwarded for Salmonella and Yersinia serology.

Abstract

Single serum specimens forwarded for Salmonella and Yersinia serology, from a total of 250 patients, were tested for anti-C. jejuni antibodies of the IgG class. Anti-Salmonella and anti-Y. enterocolitica O3 antibodies were examined by a microagglutination test and anti-C. jejuni antibodies by ELISA against a C. jejuni ultrasonicate before (ELISA) and after neutralization of antibodies which cross-reacted with Helicobacter pylori antigens (ELISA-Abs). Blood donor sera (n = 50) and sera (n = 40) from patients with various infectious diseases served as controls. A positive test for anti-Salmonella antibodies was recorded in 4/250 (1.6%) of the patients, for anti-Yersinia antibodies in 7/250 (2.8%), and for anti-C. jejuni antibodies in 7/250 (2.8%) in the ELISA; in 25/250 (10%) in the ELISA-Abs. No mixed infection was recorded by the serological testing. The ELISA-Abs showed a diagnostic specificity of 97.7%. Our results support the inference that diagnostic serology for enteropathogenic bacteria should include serology for C. jejuni, preferably by tests which exclude participation by antibodies which cross-react with H. pylori antigens.