Differentiation of thermophilic species of Campylobacter, in particular C. coli and C. jejuni, with atypical characteristics, by analysis of protein-banding profiles on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels.

The protein-banding patterns after electrophoresis of 23 strains of thermophilic Campylobacter, including 17 strains of C. coli and C. jejuni which had atypical characteristics with respect to the hydrolysis of hippurate and susceptibility to nalidixic acid, were characterized. Of the atypical strains of C. coli and C. jejuni 16 out of 17 gave protein-banding patterns which were essentially identical to those of typical strains, and distinct patterns were obtained from strains of two other species. The banding patterns of soluble proteins on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels after electrophoresis appear to be useful for the differentiation of atypical strains of C. coli and C. jejuni. Strain 11791 which was originally identified as C. coli was identified as C. lari from its protein-banding profile.