Classification of Arcobacter species isolated from aborted pig fetuses and sows with reproductive problems in Brazil

Seventeen field isolates of Arcobacter species were recovered in Brazil from aborted porcine fetal livers (n = 3), kidneys (n = 2), and thoracic fluid (n = 1). Arcobacter species were also recovered from uterine and oviductal tissues (n = 5) and a placenta from sows with reproductive problems, These isolates were initially presumed to be Arcobacter cryaerophilus on the basis of aerobic growth at 30 degrees C, indoxyl acetate hydrolysis, catalase and oxidase reactions, growth on MacConkey agar, sensitivity to 3.5% sodium chloride, and susceptibility to nalidixic acid (40 mg/ml). The isolates were confirmed as Arcobacter using polymerase chain reaction, and were classified as A, cryaerophilus 1A (24%), A. cryaerophilus 1B (71%), and A. butzleri (6%) using restriction fragment length polymorphism. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.