Which statement best describes the typical initial screening approach for detecting Campylobacter in stool?

• A. Use non-selective media under aerobic conditions
• B. Use microaerophilic conditions and specialized Campy media
• C. Use anaerobic conditions and chocolate agar
• D. Use high-temperature incubation at 60°C

Answer: (B)

Campylobacter is a fastidious, microaerophilic organism, so isolating it from stool relies on growing it in reduced-oxygen conditions and on selective media. For initial screening, stool is plated on Campylobacter-selective media (such as Skirrow- or Preston-type media) and incubated in a microaerophilic atmosphere, which suppresses normal gut flora and lets Campylobacter form colonies. Incubation around body temperature like 42°C further favors C. jejuni, the common human pathogen, and gives reliable recovery within 24–72 hours. Non-selective media in ordinary air would be overwhelmed by other bacteria, anaerobic conditions don’t suit Campylobacter, and chocolate agar isn’t selective for this organism. A very high temperature such as 60°C would inhibit Campylobacter growth.