Division 2.5.1 Detection of Campylobacter spp.

Isolation and confirmation of Campylobacter organisms should be undertaken as described in ISO 10272-1:2006(E). At least one Campylobacter isolate per batch must be speciated using phenotypic methods as described in ISO 10272-1:2006(E) or published molecular methods such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques. The method used shall be indicated.

For quality assurance, a proportion of Campylobacter spp. isolates with a maximum of eight isolates shall be sent to the Community reference laboratory for Campylobacter for confirmation and speciation.

A proportion of those isolates shall be sent to that laboratory on a quarterly basis. If isolates are to be transported between laboratories, appropriate conditions (for example charcoal swabs) shall be used.