TEST FOR CAMPYLOBACTER

Abstract: DNA probe and method for detecting Campylobacter jejuni, which consists essentially of a DNA sequence that is: a) derived froma chromosomal sequence of a bacterium of the species C. jejuni or C. coli but is less than the entire chromosomal sequence of that bacterium; b) capable of hybridizing to DNA of at least 80% of bacteria that are in the species C. jejuni and/or C. coli; and c) not capable of hybridizing to DNA of bacteria that are not in the genus Campylobacter. The method features detecting C. jejuni in a sample by providing at least one probe capable of selectively binding to C. jejuni but not bacteria that do not belong to the genus Campylobacter, contacting that DNA probe with bacteria in the sample under conditions that allow the probe to hybridize to C. jejuni in the sample thus forming hybrid DNA complexes, and detecting the hybrid complexes as an indication of C. jejuni in the sample.

Description: _- Background of the Invention This invention relates to detecting bacteria of the species Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. Throughout this application, when we refer to bacteria of the genus Campylobacter or of the species C. jejuni- C. coli- or C^ fetus (or simply "C. jejuni"- "C. coli" - or "C. fetus", respectively) we mean bacteria that are so classified in Skerman e_t al. (1980) "Approved List of Bacterial Names" Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 30. :225-420 ' BY "C. jejuni", we mean to include bacteria described as C^_ fetus subsp. jejuni (but not other members of the species C_-_ fetus) in Buchanan et al. , The Shorter Bergey's Manual for Determinative Bacteriology (Williams & Wilkins 1982) in accordance with the classification in Skerman, supra and with the classification in a more recent edition of Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology (9th ed. 1984, vol. 1). Detection of C_ ; _ jejuni and C_-_ coli is important in various medical contexts. For example, the presence of C^ jejuni or C^ coli in stool samples is indicative of gastroenteritis, and the ability to screen for their presence is useful in treating and controlling that disease. Detection of C^ jejuni and C^ coli in any possible transmission vehicle such as food is also important to avoid the spread of gastroenteritis. Currently, the presence of C^ jejuni and C. coli in stool samples is detected by cultivating an appropriately prepared sample on microbiological media under conditions favorable for growth of those bacteria. Those conditions include reduced oxygen tension and a temperature of about 42°C. The resulting colonies are then examined for morphological and biochemical characteristics, a process that typically takes at least three days and does not permit processing large numbers of samples. Taber et al. USSN 529,031 filed September 2, i983 discloses DNA probes for determining the presence of bacteria of the genus Salmonella in food. Falkow U.S. Patent 4,358,535 discloses a DNA probe for detecting Enterotoxigenic E_ j _ coli in clinical specimens. . Summary of the Invention In one aspect, the invention features a DNA probe consisting essentially of a DNA sequence that is: a) derived from a chromosomal sequence of a bacterium of the species C^ jejuni but is less than the entire chromosomal sequence of that C^ jejuni; b) capable of hybridizing to DNA of at least 80% of bacteria that are in the species C_^ jejuni; and c " ) not capable of hybridizing to DNA of bacteria that are not in the genus Campylobacter. By a sequence that is "derived from a chromosomal sequence", we mean a sequence that is identical to that sequence, or a natural or engineered or synthetic variant that retains the desired function. In another aspect, ' the invention features a method of detecting C^ jejuni in a sample by providing at least one probe capable of selectively binding to DNA of C^ jejuni but not to DNA of bacteria that do not belong to the genus Campylobacter, contacting that DNA probe with bacteria in the sample under conditions that allow the probe to hybridize to C _ jejuni in the sample thus forming hybrid DNA complexes, and detecting the hybrid complexes as an indication of C^_ jejuni in the sample. In a third aspect, the probe sequence is derived from, but is less than, an entire chromosomal sequence of C^ coli, and it is capable of hybridizing to at least 80% of the bacteria of that species. In preferred embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the probe is also capable of binding to at least 80% of bacteria that are in the species C. coli. Most preferably in all aspects of the invention, the probe is capable of binding to at least 90% of the C^ jejuni and 90% of the C^ coli) so that it is used to detect the presence of either C^ jejuni or (- _ coli in any given sample. Also in preferred embodiments " , the probe is a Hindlll fragment of a chromosome of a bacteria from the species C_^ jejuni or C^ coli. The probe may be labeled using a label that is detectable, ffoorr example, a radioactive isotope such as 32P or 125 I incorporated in the probe by nick-translation or other means of labeling; alternatively the label binds selectively to an indicator comprising a binding partner and a chemical entity detectable, e.g. by fluoromefric, immunological, electron microscopic or enzymatic methods. The label/binding partner pair may be avidin and biotin. In preferred embodiments of the method, before contacting " the probe with the bacterial DNA, the bacteria are separated from the sample and lysed to release their DNA, which then is denatured and immobilized on- a binding support such as a nitrocellulose membrane. The sample may be food or a diagnostic sample, e.g. a stool sample. The probe also may be unlabeled, in which case the contacting and detecting steps are performed by sandwich hybridization (referred to in more detail below) . One or more probes may be used in the method to increase its sensitivity. In a fourth aspect, the invention features a DNA probe consisting essentially of fragments representing a total DNA preparation of C^ jejuni, no detectable percentage of which is capable of hybridizing to bacteria that are not in the genus Campylobacter; a detectable percentage of the fragments will hybridize to the DNA of any given member of that genus. By the phrase "total DNA preparation," I mean DNA isolated by severing the chromosomal DNA to create various fragments that collectively represent substantially the entire chromosomal sequence. The DNA probe is used in a method comprising isolating fragments representing a total DNA preparation of C^ jejuni and exposing the fragments to DNA of bacteria from a sample under conditions that allow hybridization. In preferred embodiments of the fourth aspect, the C_^ jejuni used for the total DNA preparation is strain N941 (ATCC 39983), and the probe fragments are labeled. The probe and detection method .provide a reliable, fast, and straightforward means for detecting ____. Jejuni and C_ j _ coli--the two species of Campylobacter primarily implicated in gastroenteritis. So far as the inventors are aware, the probe does not depend on the ability to match a DNA probe with bacteria that e.g., express a specific protein, are pathenogenic, or possess any other phenotypical characteristic. Thus, the selectivity and utility of the probe is not limited to members of the species that exhibit a specific characteristic; nor is it dependent on locating the DNA responsible for a characteristic. Our discovery that there is not just one, but a number, of specific probes provides the added advantage of increased sensitivity and signal amplification; the larger the number of different probes used, the greater the sensitivity of the assay. This is because when several different probes are used, each can hybridize to a different portion of a single bacterial chromosome so that the single chromosome bears multiple labels. The assay of the invention gives rapid, accurate results. A fast and definitive result is important when determining a patient's therapeutic regime. When the detection method is used for food samples, its speed allows food manufacturers to reduce food storage time prior to shipment. In addition, the short time required to complete the test permits laboratories to handle large numbers of samples in a short period of time. Furthermore, the assay, depending only on the overall DNA sequences of the bacteria rather than their biochemical properties, can detect biochemically atypical as well as typical bacteria so that false negatives are avoided. The test requires no elaborate equipment and can be performed easily by personnel who have not had extensive technical training. Finally, the recognition that it is possible to use a total DNA preparation without detectable hybridization to non-Campylobacter bacteria enables a ready source of easily prepared probes. A large number of fragments of the total DNA preparation can be expected to hybridize to any Campylobacter bacteria, providing extremely high sensitivity to such bacteria. Surprisingly, a total DNA preparation of C^ jejuni does not provide false positive results, indicating that no detectable percentage of the chromosomal fragments hybridize to non-Campylobacter, and indicating that the amount of DNA homology between C^ jejuni and other groups of bacteria is negligible. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof and from the claims. Description of the Preferred Embodiments Isolation of Probes. A genomic library of C^ jejuni DNA is constructed in a suitable plasmid or phage vector. A number of suitable vectors are available and have been described in Maniatis e_t al. (1982) Molecular Cloning, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. One such vector is pUN121 [Nilsson et al. (1983) Nucleic Acids Research 11:8019-8030]. The DNA from C^ jejuni N941 (ATCC 39983) is digested with restriction endonuclease Hindlll, creating fragments of different sizes. These fragments are then ligated into the Hindlll site of a suitable vector using the general method described in Cohen et al., (1973) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. 70_:3240. This ligation mix is then used to transform E. coli HB101. The transformants are selected on the basis of a suitable marker. For example, when using the plasmid pUNl21, the transformants can be selected on the basis of resistance to tetracycline. The transformants are then screened for the presence of plasmid DNA and independent transformants are examined by agarose gel electrophoresis. The plasmid DNA is transferred onto nitrocellulose membrane filters by the method of Southern described in Maniatis et al. (1982) cited above; and the DNA is probed with nick-translated E. coli DNA. The plasmids which do not hybridize to E_-_ coli DNA (about 95%) are selected and purified by CsCl-ethidium bromide gradients. The insert DNA is purified from agarose gels after digestion with Hindlll. These individual DNA fragments are then labeled with nick-translation and used as probes in testing C^ jejuni or C^ coli strains and also, enteric bacteria often found in feces as part of normal flora or as pathogens. Table 1 exemplifies the types of non-Campylobacter enteric bacteria that may be tested. Table 1 ENTERIC BACTERIA USED IN SCREENING Escherichia coli Salmonella enteritidis Enterobacter cloacae Salmonella serotype Cl Enterobacter agglomi Salmonella typhimurium Enterabacter gergoviae Serratra lique ' faciens Citrobacter forundii Serratia marcescens Citrobacter diversus-levihea Shigella flexneri Klebsiella pneumoniae Shigella sonneii Klebsiella oxytoca Shigella byoydii Proteus mirabilis Shigella dysenteriae Proteus morganii Vibrio parahaemolyticus Proteus rettgeri Strains of C^ jejuni and C_^ coli that can be used in the above screening procedure are available from numerous sources, particularly from major medical centers. For example, well-characterized C. jejuni and C. coli strains are available from the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts c/o Gary Doren. C. jejuni and C^ coli strains are also available from Scott Laboratories, Inc., Fiskville, Rhode Island. In addition, various clinically isolated strains are available from Scott Laboratories. Other sources of clinical isolates include the Veterns Administration Medical Center, Denver, Colorado (M.J. Blaser) and Vermont Department of Public Health, Burlington, Vermont (Tanya Sandros) . By way of example, Table 2 lists eight specific probes ^ identified by their inability to hybridize with DNA of the species listed in Table 1 and their ability to hybridize with a high percentage of 98 distinct Campylobacter strain ' s. Table 2 LIST OF CAMPYLOBACTER SPECIFIC PROBES AND THEIR PROPERTIES Probe Size(b) Percentage of Strains Detected CJ12A 960 100% CJ29B 970 85% CJ41A 2150 91% CJ41B 2' fragments: 1250 and 1300 b.p. 93% CJ44A • 2 fragments: 2650 and 3000 b.p. 99% CJ44B 1700 99% CJ59 1500 90% CJ87A 1200 96% The four preferred probes have been deposited with the NRRL located in Peoria, Illinois and bear the following accession numbers Probe NRRL No. CJ12A B 15911 CJ29B B 15912 CJ59 B 15913 CJ87A B 15914 With respect to these probes and the above-mentioned ATCC deposit of -_ jejuni, N941, applicants' assignee. Integrated Genetics, Inc., acknowledges its responsibility to replace these cultures should they die before the end of the term of a patent issued hereon, and its responsibility to notify the depository of the issuance of such a patent, at which time the deposits will be made available to the public. Until that time the deposits will be made available to the Commissioner of Patents under the terms of 37 CFR Section 1.14 and 35 USC Section 112. Construction, Labeling, and Use of Probes. Probes may be constructed from the isolates of Table 2 as described by Taber and Fitts, USSN 529,031, filed September 2, 1983, which is hereby incorporated by reference. DNA is labeled by nick-translation according to known methods or by other known methods of labeling such as primer extension, or by the non-isotopic methods described by Landes USSN 529,044 filed September 2, 1983, which is hereby incorporated by reference. USSN 529,031 and USSN 529,044 also describe apparatus and methods for the use of probes that have been so labeled. Specifically, those skilled in the art will recognize that it is possible to adjust hybridization conditions such as temperature (e.g. 55-70°C) ionic strength (IM NaCl) , and other factors (e.g. the addition of formamide) provide selectivity and sensitivity levels. Detection of C. Jejuni in Stools. Stool samples from healthy individuals may be screened with each of the DNA probes CJ12A, CJ29B, CJ44A, CJ59 and CJ87A and also using a mixture of probes. The hybridization may be performed as described in the above-referenced USSN 529,031 on stool samples which are directly spotted on nitrocellulose membrane filters as well as samples which are inoculated on selective plates as described by Blaser et al., * (1979) Ann. Intern. Med. _9_1:179 and on non-selective plates. In all cases, the stool from healthy individuals shows no hybridization to the DNA probes, confirming previous studies showing that healthy individuals do not have any detectable C^ jejuni in their stools. (M. B. Skirrow, 1982, J. Hyg. Camb. , 89_:175). Stool specimens that include C_ ; _ jejuni are detectable in the stool samples. When radioactivity labeled probes are used to evaluate samples immobilized on filters, exposure of the filters to X-ray film will exhibit a dark spot for samples containing C^ jejuni or C^ coli. Total DNA Probe. An extraordinarily sensitive DNA probe can be prepared from the DNA of a member of the species C. jejuni. Specifically, a total DNA preparation is produced from a strain of C^_ jejuni such as N941, discussed above. Any of a number of known techniques may be- used for that purpose. For example, Maniatis, cited above, cites suitable procedures for isolating bacterial DNA. These isolation procedures fragment the bacterial chromosome which is about 4,000 k.b. (assuming that the E^ coli and C_^ jejuni chromosomes are comparable in size) to yield isolated fragments of about 10-20 kb._ These fragments are then labeled by any of the procedures discussed above such as nick translation, further fragmenting the DNA to an average size of about 500-1000 bp. These fragments are a suitable size for a probe and, surprisingly, they exhibit no detectable hybridization with non-Campylobacter when subjected to the hybridization procedures discussed above. At the same time, the probe is extremely sensitive because hybridization can take place at many locations on the same Campylobacter chromosome due to the presence of numerous distinct labeled fragments. Other Embodiments Other embodiments are within the following claims. For example, other labeling methods may be used. Unlabeled probes may be used, in which case a sandwich hybridization is used according to known techniques such as the one described in European Patent Application EPO 079139A1. The number of probes required depends in part on the sensitivity required in a given application and the tolerance for false negative results. In general, one or more probes may be used. Synthetically constructed DNA sequences as well as pieces of the genome of naturally occurring C_ ; _ jejuni or C. coli can be used as probes. Other clinical samples may be tested--for example, gastric juices or intestinal contents. Food may be tested as described in Taber and Fitts USSN 529,031 cited above.

Claims: Claims 1. A DNA probe consisting essentially of a DNA sequence that is: a) derived from a chromosomal sequence of a bacterium of the species C_ ; _ jejuni but is less than the entire chromosomal sequence of said C^ jejuni; b) capable of hybridizing to DNA of at least 80% of bacteria that are in the species C^ jejuni; and c) not capable of hybridizing to DNA of bacteria that are not in the genus Campylobacter. 2. A DNA probe consisting essentially of a DNA sequence that is: * a) derived from a chromosomal sequence of bacterium of the species C^ coli but is less than the entire chromosomal sequence of said C_-_ coli; b) capable of hybridizing to DNA of at least 80% of bacteria that are in the species C_ ; _ coli; and c) not capable of hybridizing to DNA of bacteria that are not in the genus Campylobacter. 3. The DNA probe of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said probe " is capable of hybridizing to DNA of at least 90% of bacteria that are in the species C_^ jejuni. 4. The DNA probe of claim 1 wherein said probe is capable -of hybridizing to at least 80% of the bacteria in the species C^ coli. 5. The DNA probe of claim 3 wherein said probe is capable of hybridizing to at least 90% of the bacteria in the species C. coli. 6. The DNA probe of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the probe is labeled. 7. The DNA probe of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said label is a radioactive isotope. 8. The DNA probe of claim 7 wherein said ■~ » n 1 nc radioactive isotope is P or I and is incorporated in said probe by nick-translation. 9. The DNA probe of claim 6 wherein said label is either capable of being detected or of selectively binding to an indicator to form a detectable complex. 10. The DNA probe of claim 9 wherein said indicator comprises a binding partner that selectively binds to said label, and a chemical entity that enables detection of hybrid DNA complexes comprising said labeled probe. 11. The DNA probe of claim 10 wherein said label is selected from one of the compounds avidin and biotin and said binding partner is the other of the compounds avidin and biotin. 12. The DNA probe of claim 10 wherein said chemical entity is a fluorophore that enables fluorometric detection of said hybrid DNA complexes. . 13. The DNA probe of claim 10 wherein said chemical entity is one of an antibody/antigen binding pair that enables immunological detection of said hybrid DNA complexes. 14. The DNA probe of claim 10 wherein said chemical entity is an electron dense compound which 3 enables detection of said hybrid DNA complexes by an 4 electron microscope. 1 15. The DNA probe of claim 10 wherein said 2 chemical entity is one of an enzyme/substrate pair that 3 enables enzymatic detection of said hybrid DNA complexes, 1 16. The DNA probe of claim 1 wherein said probe 2 is a C^ jejuni Hindlll fragment. 1 17. The DNA probe of claim 16 wherein said DNA 2 sequence is selected from: 3 a) CJ12A (NRRL 15911) ; 4 b) CJ29B (NRRL 15912) ; 5 c) CJ59 (NRRL 15913) ; and 6 d) CJ87A (NRRL 15914). 1 18. A DNA probe consisting essentially of at 2 least two probes according to claim 1 or claim 2. 1 19. A DNA probe consisting essentially of at 2 least two probes according to claim 17. -* ■ 20. A DNA probe consisting essentially of at 2 least three of the probes according to claim 17. -*- 21. A DNA probe consisting essentially of each 2 of probes a) , b) , c) , and d) according to claim 17. 22. A method of detecting the presence of C^ jejuni in a sample comprising providing at least one DNA probe that is capable of selectively hybridizing to C^ jejuni but not bacteria that do not belong to the genus Campylobacter, contacting said DNA probe with bacteria in said sample under conditions that allow said probe to hybridize to C^ jejuni in the sample thus forming hybrid DNA complexes, and detecting said hybrid complexes as an indication of C^ jejuni in said sample. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein said method also detects C^ coli in said sample, said contacting step comprises contacting said probe with bacteria in said sample under conditions that allow the probe to hybridize to C^ coli, and said detecting step comprises detecting hybrid DNA complexes as an indication of C^ jejuni and -_ colj. in said sample. 24. The method of claim 22 wherein said probe is labeled and said detecting step comprises detecting said label or detecting an indicator to which said label selectively binds. 25. The method of claim 22 wherein, prior to contacting said bacteria with said probe, said bacteria are separated out of said sample and lysed to release their DNA, said DNA then being denatured and immobilized on a DNA binding support. 26. The method of claim 25 wherein said DNA binding support comprises a nitrocellulose membrane. 27. The method of claim 22 wherein at least two DNA probes are employed. 28. The method of claim 22 wherein said probe is unlabeled. and said contacting and detecting steps are performed by sandwich hybridization. 29. The method of claim 22 wherein said sample is a gastroenteritic sample. 30. The method of claim 29 wherein said sample is a stool sample. 31. The method of claim 22 wherein said sample is a food sample. 32. A DNA probe consisting essentially of fragments representing a total DNA preparation of C_ j _ jejuni, said fragments being incapable of hybridizing to bacteria that are not in the genus Campylobacter, hybridization of said fragments to DNA of members of the genus Campylobacter being detectable. 33. The probe of claim 32 wherein said C_-_ jejuni has the characteristics of N941 (ATCC 39983) . 34. The probe of claim 32 wherein said fragments are labeled. 35. A method of detecting members of the genus Campylobacter comprising: isolating fragments representing a total DNA preparation of C^ jejuni; and exposing said labeled fragments to DNA of a sample bacteria under conditions allowing hybridization. 36. The method of claim 35 wherein said C_ j _ jejuni is N941 (ATCC 39983) . 37. The method of claim 35 wherein said fragments are labeled.

Inventors: FITTS RENEE, RASHTCHIAN AYOUB, FITTS, RENEE, RASHTCHIAN, AYOUB
Applicants: INTEGRATED GENETICS INC, INTEGRATED GENETICS, INC.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G01N33
IPC codes: C07K14, C12Q1