Purpose: RAPID’Campylobacter is a media for the enumeration of thermophilic Campylobacter in food and environmental samples based on a chromogenic reaction. The use of a selected nutritive mixture associated with reducing agent allows the growth of Campylobacter spp. in an optimal time. Other bacterial species, as well as yeast and molds, are inhibited by the selective agents. Campylobacter spp. produces brick-red colonies on the media. A validation based on NF VALIDATION rules and ISO 16140 standard has been conducted by an independent expert laboratory (ADRIADéveloppement).
Methods: In the method comparison study, RAPID’Campylobacter was compared to the ISO/TS 10272-2:2006 method. Two food categories and one environmental matrix were tested. Three matrix/strain pairs were tested during the linearity study, and 120 samples were tested in the relative accuracy study. Inter-laboratory study was performed by 15 laboratories.
Results: Method comparison results demonstrated there was no significant difference in the linearity, accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of the RAPID’Campylobacter method when compared to the ISO 10272-2 standard. Inter-laboratory results demonstrated equivalent precision of the two methods, in repeatability and reproducibility conditions with low bias.
Significance: The chromogenic substrate and selective component allow a high level of contrast and ensures an optimal reading of Campylobacter, which appears brick-red on a clear medium. The method presented greatly shortens the time to a Campylobacter enumeration by eliminating the need for long and difficult confirmation step, and reducing the laborious step required in traditional methods for Campylobacter enumeration.