Identification and differentiation of Campylobacter isolated from chicken meat using real-time polymerase chain reaction and high resolution melting analysis of hipO and glyA genes

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Campylobacter species have been recognized as the most frequently identified bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis. The aims of this study were to identify Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli species isolated from chicken meat and to analyze the differences in the melting curve patterns of both species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 105 chicken meat samples collected from slaughterhouses and retailers in six provinces in Indonesia were examined for the isolation and identification of Campylobacter spp. A total of 56 positive isolates of Campylobacter spp. were analyzed using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and high resolution melting method. RESULTS: The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in chicken meat was found to be 61.9%. Regarding the identification, 23 isolates (41.07%) were C. jejuni, 22 (39.29%) were C. coli, six (10.71%) were a mix between C. jejuni and C. coli, and five isolates (8.93%) were Campylobacter spp. All the C. jejuni and C. coli isolates produced varied melting curve patterns. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of C. jejuni and C. coli in chicken meat in Indonesia indicates a high risk of the incidence of campylobacteriosis in humans.