PCR for the detection of Campylobacter spp in clinical specimens

The suitability of PCR (based on the amplification of the 16S rRNA gene) for use as a diagnostic test fur the detection of Campylobacter spp, in human faecal specimens was assessed. A total of 493 faecal specimens from patients with symptoms of enteritis was tested for the presence of campylobacters using PCR. Results were compared with those obtained from the analyses of the same specimens by culture techniques, using chi(2) square with Fisher's exact test. PCR was found to detect significantly more positive specimens than culture (chi(2) = 200.086; P < 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of PCR when with the culture technique were found to be 91 and 97%, respectively. It is proposed that the PCR is a reliable and sensitive method which ma, be used as a routine diagnostic technique for the detection of campylobacters in clinical specimens.