A note on the comparative efficacy of three selective media for isolation of Campylobacter species from environmental samples.

The efficacy of three selective broths and agars, i.e. Preston-, mCCD- and CAR medium, were compared to each other in various combinations. Twelve Campylobacter coli and 9 Campylobacter jejuni strains that had been isolated from sewage were used as test strains. To evaluate the applicability for highly contaminated environmental samples 15 sewage samples were examined, subsequently. Significant differences between the media could not be ascertained. The application of Preston broth/agar or CAR broth/Preston agar, however, is strongly recommended for investigation of highly contaminated environmental samples, as bacterial overgrowth (CAR agar) and difficult retrievability from agar surfaces (mCCD agar) were observed. A necessity of blood-supplementation is assumed.