Comparison of Methods for Isolating Campylobacter SPP from Sewage

Various Campylobacter isolation methodologies from wastewater samples have been tested. Considering the results obtained, an experimental method is suggested combining a filtration on a 0.45 µm membrane with an enrichment in Preston's broth with 6 h at 42°C of incubation followed by an isolation on Preston's agar after a 48 hours incubation at 42° C in a microaerophilic atmosphere. This technique has been applied to 116 samples of raw wastewater taken from the Nancy treatment plant. Campylobacter have been isolated in 43.9 % of the samples. The species distribution was 94.1 % C. jejuni and 5.9 % C. coli.