Classification and Identification of Campylobacter sputorum using Numerical Analyses of Phenotypic Tests and of One-dimensional Electrophoretic Protein Profiles

Summary The application of numerical analyses of phenotypic tests and sodium-dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic protein profiles in the classification and identification of Campylobacter sputorum was examined. Thirty-eight strains received, or isolated as, representatives of each of the defined biovars of Campylobacter sputorum (i.e. bubulus, fecalis, and sputorum), along with seventeen type or reference strains of other Campylobacter, Arcobacter , and Helicobacter species, were studied. The results from both analyses indicated, (i) that thirty-two strains formed a distinct cluster which included the type strain of C. sputorum , confirming their identity as members of this species, (ii) that catalase-positive strains of C. sputorum are associated with faeces, (iii) that the normal subdivision of catalase-negative C. sputorum strains into two source-specific biovars is invalid. Thus, catalase-positive strains of C. sputorum should remain as biovar fecalis and catalase-negative strains (i.e. biovars sputorum and bubulus) should be unified as a single biovar sputorum and the biovar bubulus discarded. Five oral isolates initially believed to be C. sputorum biovar sputorum were identified as potentially novel campylobacters. Numerical analysis of both types of data used were shown to be effective methods of classifying and identifying campylobacters and allied taxa.