PCR-mediated DNA fingerprinting of atypical campylobacter strains isolated from surface and drinking water.

This study shows that typing through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used to differentiate between strains of Campylobacter and Arcobacter, whereas by means of conventional biotyping Arcobacter might be identified as atypical Campylobacter. Microaerophilic "campylobacter-like" organisms were isolated from several drinking water treatment plants as well as environmental sources. The strains were characterized by biotyping and PCR amplification of Campylobacter flaA/flaB and 16s-rRNA Arcobacter butzleri-specific genes.