Cytotoxity of cell free filtrates of campylobacter jejuni isolated in Lagos, Nigeria.

Abstract

Culture filtrates of Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from clinical specimens in Lagos Nigeria were tested for toxic activity. Two out of five filtrates tested manifested cytopathic effect on BHK cells. The effects were mainly cytotoxic and cytotonic. Toxic activity of C. jejuni filtrates was much lower than toxic activity elicited by a known toxigenic Vibrio cholerae strain. The reduced potency of C. jejuni culture filtrate may thus account for lower volume of diarrhoea seen in C. jejuni enteritis as compared with classical cholera “rice water stool”.

Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Volume , No 1 January (2001) pp. 13-18



KEY WORDS:

Culture filtrate, cytopathic effect, tissue Culture, Campylobacter jejuni.