A new 16S rDNA-RFLP method for the discrimination of the accepted species of Arcobacter

The genus Arcobacter that includes some species of clinical interest has been recently enlarged with the addition of several new species. The available molecular techniques for the characterization of Arcobacter spp. are unable to identify all the species included in this genus. We have developed a 16S rDNA-RFLP method able to separate the currently accepted 6 species of Arcobacter, including the 2 hybridization groups of Arcobacter cryaerophilus. The method based on the use of a pair of primers and of the endonuclease MseI has been validated using 12 reference strains (including the type strains) and 75 fresh isolates. All isolates tested produced species-specific RFLP patterns. This easy-to-perform method allows a fast and reliable recognition of the members of this complex genus.