Abstract:
Single-stranded DNA probes complementary to a hypervariable region of Campylobacter 16S rRNA are useful in distinguishing species of this pathogen from one another. The probes find practical application in diagnosing human and animal diseases caused by this organism from clinical samples, such as fecal material. They are also useful in differentiating Campylobacter species based on RFLP analyses.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to nucleic acid probes useful for differentiating two closely related species of Campylobacter, C. Fetus, and C. hyointestinalis. 
     The genus Campylobacter is composed of spirally curved gram negative pathogens with characteristic darting motility but few metabolic characteristics useful in species differentiation. The genus encompasses pathogens of human and veterinary importance, including Campylobacter fetus and Campylobacter hyointestinalis. A vibroid bacterium, Vibrio fetus, has been recognized as the etiological agent of bovine and ovine infertility and abortion. This pathogen has been isolated from the placenta of aborting sheep, stomach contents of aborted fetuses and from blood, and also intestinal contents of infected ewes and cattle. The abortifacient species C. fetus was subsequently subdivided into two subspecies which are differentiated according to their tolerance to 5% glycine. C. fetus subsp fetus is transmitted orally, induces abortion in sheep, and rarely produces septicemia in humans; whereas C. fetus subsp venerealis is exclusively a venereal pathogen of animals. C. fetus subsp fetus replicates at 42° C. and grows in the presence of glycine, whereas the subspecies venerealis replicates at 37° C. and is intolerant of glycine [Smibert, &#34;Genus Campylobacter Seabld and Veron 1963, 907 AL ,&#34; pp. 111-118 In N. R. Krieg and J. G. Holt (ed., Bergey&#39;s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, Vol. I, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore]. C. fetus shares a 16-30% DNA homology with C. hyointestinalis with which it is most closely related. C. hyointestinalis produces H 2  S in triple sugar iron in contrast to C. fetus. The two species may also be distinguished via fatty acid profiles. C. hyointestinalis was first described in association with swine proliferative ileitis and has also been reported in health cattle and as an enteric pathogen of humans. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Nucleic acid hybridization using total genomic DNA has been used in the taxonomy [Fennel et al., J. Clin Microbiol 24:146-148 (1986); Steele et al., J. Clin Microbiol 22:71-74 (1985); Totten et al., J. Infect. Dis. 151:131-139 (1985); Von Sulffen, FEMS Microbiol Lett. 42:129-133 (1987); Chevrier et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 27:321-326 (1989)] and in the diagnosis [Tomkins et al., Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 4:71S-78S (1988) of Campylobacter. Nucleic acid probes have been developed for the genus Campylobacter [Freier et al., Clin. Chem. 34:1176 (1988)]; C. jejuni [Picken et al., Mol. Cel Probes 1:245-259 (1987); Korolik et al., J. Gen Microbiol. 134:521-529 (1988)]; C. hyointestinalis [Gebhart, J. Clin. Microbiol. 27: 2717-2723 (1989)]; and the C. coli--C. jejuni--C. laridis complex [Shrawder et al., Clin. Chem. 34:1176 (1988)]. 
     Although the nucleotide sequences of ribosomal RNAs (rRNA) have been conserved through evolution, mutations have occurred as species diverge [Gray et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 12:5837-5852 (1984); Lane et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82:6955-6959 (1985); Woese et al., Microbiol. Rev. 47:621-629 (1983)]. Many of these changes exist in hypervariable regions. Oligonucleotides complementary to these regions have been synthesized which disciminate very closely related species. The 5S and 16S rRNA sequences of Campylobacter species have been examined for the purpose of studying the phylogeny and diversity of the genus, and partial sequences have been reported [Lau et al., Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 9:231-238 (1987); Romaniuk et al., FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 43:331-335 (1987); Paster et al., Intl. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 38:56-62 (1988); Tompson et al., Intl. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 38:190-200 (1988)]. Though deoxyligonucleotide probes specific for 16S rRNA have been reported for the genus Campylobacter [Moureau et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 27:1514-1517 (1989); Rashtchian et al., Current Microbiol. 14:311-317 (1987); Romaniuk et al., 1987, supra; Wesley, J. Cell. Biochem. Suppl. 14C:182 (1990)] hypervariable regions between C. fetus and C. hyointestinalis have not been previously identified. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     We have nearly fully sequenced the 16S rRNA in C. fetus and in C. hyointestinalis and have identified a hypervariable region which allows the rRNA of these two species to be distinguished from one another. Based on this information, we have constructed oligodeoxynucleotide probes which are designed to specifically hybridize with DNA or rRNA target sequences associated with the hypervariable region of each of these Campylobacter species. The probes are particularly useful for accelerating the clinical identification of these pathogens from bacterial cultures. 
     In accordance with this discovery, it is an object of the invention to provide a rapid and effective alternative to conventional biochemical and serological methods of identifying campylobacters. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide highly specific and selective oligonucleotide probes useful for clinical diagnosis of diseases induced by C. fetus and C. hyointestinalis. 
     It is a specific object of the invention to provide an assay for detecting bacterial agents responsible for abortion in livestock and proliferative ileitis in swine. 
     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent from the ensuing description. 
     GLOSSARY 
     For purposes of this invention, the following standard abbreviations and terms used herein have been defined below. Also included are a listing of biological materials and reagents mentioned in the specification. 
     
         ______________________________________ABBREVIATIONS______________________________________ATCC =     American Type Culture CollectionAt.sup.32 P =      .sup.32 P-labelled adenosine triphosphatebp =       base pairsDNA =      deoxyribonucleic acidNADC =     National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IowaRFLP =     restriction fragment length polymorphismRNA =      ribonucleic acidrRNA =     ribosomal ribonucleic acidss-rRNA =  single-stranded ribosomal ribonucleic acidSDS =      sodium dodecyl sulfateVPI =      Virginia Polytechnic Institute______________________________________ 
    
     TERMS 
     DNA or RNA sequence: a linear series of nucleotides connected one to the other by phosphodiester bonds between the 3&#39; and 5&#39; carbons of adjacent pentoses. 
     hybridization: the pairing together or annealing of complementary single-stranded regions of nucleic acids to form double-stranded molecules. 
     hypervariable region: region within highly conserved 16S rRNA to which nucleotide changes occur most frequently. 
     nucleotide: a monomeric unit of DNA or RNA consisting of a sugar moiety (pentose), a phosphate, and a nitrogenous heterocyclic base. The base is linked to the sugar moiety via the glycosidic carbon (1&#39; carbon of the pentose) and that combination of base and sugar is a nucleoside. The base characterizes the nucleotide. The four DNA bases are adenine (&#34;A&#34;), guanine (&#34;G&#34;), cytosine (&#34;C&#34;) and thymine (&#34;T&#34;). The four RNA bases are A, G, C and uracil (&#34;U&#34;). 
     oligonucleotide: a linear series of 2-100 deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides connected one to the other by phosphodiester bonds between the 3&#39; and 5&#39; carbons of adjacent pentoses. 
     oligonucleotide probe: a single-stranded piece of DNA or RNA that can be used to detect, by hybridization or complementary base-pairing, a target nucleic acid sequence which is homologous or complementary. 
     sequence: two or more DNA or RNA nucleotides in a given order. 
     stringency: refers to the conditions under which hybridization takes place. At high stringency only exact matches of DNA and RNA will hybridize stably. Under low stringency, nonhomologous sequences may hybridize. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In preparation for developing oligonucleotide probes of the invention, we determined nearly the full nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA molecule of C. fetus subsp fetus (ATCC 27274), C. fetus subsp venerealis (ATCC 19438) and C. hyointestinalis (NADC 2006 and ATCC 35217). Upon comparison of these sequences, regions of the C. fetus species 16S rRNA molecule that differed from analogous regions of the C. hyointestinalis 16S rRNA were identified. One such region, hereafter referred to as the hypervariable region, was selected. This region is represented by the ss-rRNA sequences of the aforementioned deposit strains shown in Table III and in the appended Sequence Listing as SEQ ID NOS. 1-4. In Table III, nucleotide mismatches amongst the strains are underlined. 
     A strategy for constructing a probe within the scope of the invention is initiated by predetermining the probe&#39;s length. It is envisioned that probes useful herein would range in size from about 10 to 50 bases, with the preferred size being about 15 to 30 bases. A sequence of the predetermined length, occurring within the 16S rRNA and including at least one of the base mismatches in the hypervariable region is then selected. In order to avoid the need for highly stringent conditions during hybridization, the selected sequence preferably includes at least two base mismatches. Optimally, the probe would include all eight of the recognized mismatches in the hypervariable region. The nucleotide sequence complementary to the selected rRNA sequence is thereafter determined, and the oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe is synthesized as the inverse of the complementary sequence. In this way, the probe is in correct orientation for binding to native DNA or rRNA in samples to be assayed. 
     Given below in the Sequence Listing as SEQ ID NO. 5 is the base sequence corresponding to the inverse of the complement of the C. fetus subsp venerealis rRNA or C. hyointestinalis extending 50 bases upstream and 40 bases downstream from the hypervariable region. In SEQ ID NO. 5, the IUPAC code N, representing any nucleotide, has been used whenever a mismatch between the sequences originating from C. fetus or C. hyointestinalis occurred at a given position or when the nucleotide at a given position was undetermined for both species The sequences of probes encompassed by the invention can be ascertained directly from SEQ ID NO. 5 in conjunction with SEQ ID NOS. 1-4. Examples of such probes are represented as SEQ ID NOS. 6-8, discussed further below. 
     Under appropriately stringent conditions, a probe of the invention will bind only to DNA or rRNA of the Campylobacter species it was designed to detect. This specificity makes these probes useful for the unequivocal detection of C. fetus or C. hyointestinalis in complex samples such as fecal material. 
     The derivation of probes as outlines above has several advantages over cloned genomic DNA probes. When the target of the probe is rRNA, increased sensitivity is obtained because the rRNA is present in up to 10,000 copies per cell as opposed to only 1-10 gene copies per cell. Also short oligonucleotide probes can be used with substantially reduce the hybridization time. This results in a highly sensitive and specific test that can be completed in 5 days or less. 
     These probes are useful in a variety of hybridization formats. The approach which is most readily applied to a laboratory setting is the colony blot, in which the probe is reacted with bacterial colonies. The slot blot technique uses either bacterial colonies which are subsequently lysed, or else chromosomal DNA which may be harvested with commercially available DNA extraction kits. The Southern blot hybridization protocol would be useful for deducing taxonomic relationships. 
     In addition, the probes of the invention can be used to differentiate between Campylobacter species based on RFLP analysis. DNA isolated from bacteria are digested with restriction endonucleases, the fragments are separated by electrophoresis through an agarose gel, transferred to a solid support, and hybridized with the oligonucleotide probe. When probed in this way, the Campylobacter species can be differentiated based on the positions of the DNA bands that hybridize with the probe. This application is epidemiologically useful for following the transmission of a particular organism. 
     To enable detection, the probes may be bound to a radioactive, enzymatic, or organic label by any conventional procedure in the art. For instance, by leaving the 5&#39;--OH end nonphosphorylated during construction, the probes are readily end-labelled using T4 polynucleotide kinase and γ AT 32  P as described in Example 2. 
    
    
     The following examples are intended only to further illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Selection of Bacterial Strains and Growth Conditions 
     Bacterial strains were obtained from the American Type Culture collection (ATCC), National Animal Disease Center (NADC), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) collections. The following ATCC reference strains of Campylobacter were evaluated: C. cinaedi ATCC 35683, C. coli ATCC 33559, C. concisus ATCC 33237, C. cryaerophila ATCC 43158, C. faecalis ATCC 33709, C. fenneliae ATCC 35684, C. fetus subsp fetus ATCC 27374, C. fetus subsp venerealis ATCC 19438, C. hyointesitinalis ATCC 35217, C. laridis ATCC 35221, C. jejuni ATCC 33560, C. mucosalis ATCC 43264, C. nitrofigilis ATCC 33309, C. sputorum subsp. bubulus ATCC 33562, and C. sputorum subsp sputorum ATCC 35980. The C. upsaliensis strain (D1914) was obtained from the Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga. 
     Field isolates of C. fetus (n=53) and C. hyointestinalis (n=55) examined in this study are shown in Tables I and II, respectively. Isolates were characterized as C. fetus based on characteristic morphology, motility, site of isolation from the host, growth at 42° C., and failure to generate H 2  S. Isolates of C. hyointestinalis were confirmed as such by H 2  S production, tolerance of glycine, sensitivity to nalidixic acid and cephalothin and fatty acid profiles. In addition, serologic cross-reactivity with C. fetus was evaluated in a microtiter agglutination assay [Firehammer et al., Amer. J. Vet. Res. 47:1415-1418 (1986)]. Two strains of C. jejuni (NADC 1829 and NADC 1990) were also included as negative controls. 
     Bacteria were grown on brain heart infusion agar (BHIA) with 10% defibrinated bovine blood and incubated microaerophilically (10% CO 2  and 90% air; 72 hr at 37° C.). 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     16S Ribosomal RNA Sequence Analysis 
     RNA was isolated and partially purified as described by Paster et al. [1988, supra]. Complete 16S ribosomal RNA sequences were determined for C. hyointestinalis (ATCC 35217 and NADC 2006), C. fetus subsp fetus (ATCC 27374 and VPI H641), and for C. fetus subsp venerealis (ATCC 19438). These sequences were compared with published partial sequences of Campylobacter concisus, C. fetus subsp fetus, C. jejuni, C. coli, C. laridis, C. sputorum, C. pylori, a campylobacter of ferrets, Bacterioides gracilis, B. ureolyticus, Wolinella recta, W. curva, W. succinognes, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus vulgaris, and the unpublished sequence of Flexispira rappini. The computer program of Paster et al. [1988, supra] was used for data entry, editing, sequence alignment, secondary structure comparison, homology matrix generation, and dendrogram construction for 16S rRNA data. Nucleic acid sequences which were selected for probes were identified by alignment of 16S rRNA sequence data, identification of common bases and selection of regions where mismatches occurred. Commercially prepared oligonucleotides (Synthecell, Gaithersburg, Md.) were end-labelled with  32  P γ ATP by the T4 polynucleotide kinase reaction as described [Richardson, Proc. Nucl. Acid Res. 2:815 (1971)]. 
     A total of 1413 bases were sequenced for 16S ribosomal RNA of C. fetus and C. hyointestinalis. Alignment of nucleic acids indicated that a single base mismatch (position 811) differentiated C. fetus subsp fetus from the subspecies venerealis. In contrast, a 28 oligonucleotide difference distinguished C. fetus from C. hyointestinalis. Based on sequence data, it was demonstrated that C. fetus subsp fetus shared a 99.8% to 100% sequence homology with the subspecies venerealis and a 98% sequence identity with C. hyointestinalis. 
     A region of 8 mismatches (from position 1017 to 1046) was identified. The rRNA sequence data for this hypervariable region for each of C. fetus subsp venerealis (ATCC 19438), C. fetus subsp fetus (ATCC 27374), C. hyointestinalis (NADC 2006), and C. hyointestinalis (ATCC 35217) are given in Table III and also in the Sequence Listing as SEQ ID NOS. 1-4, respectively. Two C. fetus-specific probes, a 17-oligodeoxynucleotide probe (5&#39;CTC-AAC-TTT-CTA-GCA-AG 3&#39;; SEQ ID NO. 6) and a 29-oligodeoxynucleotide probe (5&#39;CTC-AAC-TTT-CTA-GCA-AGC-TAG-CAC-TCT-CT-3&#39;; SEQ ID NO. 7) were synthesized from the hypervariable region. These probes do not encompass the single base mismatch which exists between C. fetus subsp fetus and C. fetus subsp venerealis. Also a 29-oligodeoxynucleotide probe (5&#39;-CAC-TAA-TTT-CIT-GTA-AAC-AAG-CAC-TAT-CT-3&#39;; SEQ ID NO. 8) specific for C. hyointestinalis was synthesized. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     To determine the specificity for the appropriate microbe, the three probes prepared in Example 2 were tested in a colony blot hybridization format against reference strains of 16 Campylobacter species and subspecies as follows. 
     Colony Blot Hybridization 
     A nylon membrane (&#34;GeneScreen,&#34; NEN Research Products, Dupont deNemours and Company, Inc., Boston, Miss.) was gently pressed over bacterial colonies (3-4 days old) grown on BHIA containing 10% defibrinated bovine blood. After a minimum of 1 hr the membrane was denatured (0.5M NaOH, 1.5M NaCl), neutralized (1M tris, 3M NaCl, pH 5.5) and UV crosslinked to covalently bind the DNA to the membrane filters. Hybridization was carried out at (37° C. for 18 hr) in 6X SSC (SSC is 0.15M NaCl, 0.015M Na citrate, pH 7.0), 5X Denhardt&#39;s solution (0.1% Ficoll, 0.1% polyvinylpyrrolidone, 0.1% bovine serum albumin), 0.5% SDS, and 100 μg/ml of sonicated denatured calf thymus DNA. The hybridization solution contained 10 6  cpm of the appropriate end-labelled  32  P oligonucleotide probe. After incubation, filters were washed once briefly in 2X SSC-0.1% SDS at room temperature, followed by two stringency washes. For C. fetus (17-mer) stringency washes were completed in saline sodium citrate (1X SSC, 37° C., 1 hr) whereas the 29-mer specific for C. fetus required higher stringency conditions (47° C. in 0.1X SSC). For C. hyointestinalis the stringency washes were performed in 6X SSC (50° C., for 1 hr). Dried filters were exposed to Kodak &#34;X-Omat&#34; film with two intensifying screens (-80° C., 1 day). 
     As shown in Table IV, the two C. fetus specific oligonucleotides hybridized only with the reference strains of C. fetus subsp fetus (ATCC 19438) and C. fetus subsp venerealis (ATCC 27374). No reaction was seen with any of the other reference strains of Campylobacter, including the phylogenetically closely related C. hyointestinalis. The C. hyointestinalis specific probe hybridized only with the colony blots of the C. hyointestinalis reference strain (ATCC 35217). No cross reaction was observed with the closely related C. fetus strains (ATCC 19438 and ATCC 27374). 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     Specificity of each of the C. fetus probes was evaluated further in a slot blot format against genomic DNA of field strains as follows. 
     Slot Blot Hybridization 
     For slot blot hybridization, high molecular weight genomic DNA was extracted from bacterial cells as described by Wesley et al. [Amer. J. Vet. Res. 50:807-813 (1989)]. A series of preliminary experiments was carried out to determine the appropriate hybridization and washing conditions to maximize the signal to background ratio. Typically, 2 μg/well of Campylobacter genomic DNA was applied to a &#34;GeneScreen&#34; nylon membrane (NEN Research Products, Dupont deNemours and Company, Inc., Boston, Mass.) in a slot-blot apparatus (Biorad, Richmond, Calif.). The DNA was denatured, neutralized, and UV crosslinked as described above for colony blot hybridization. Prehybridization was carried out for 3 hr at 37° C. in 6X SSC. 5X Denhardt&#39;s solution, 0.5% SDS, and 100 μg/ml of sonicated denatured calf-thymus DNA. Hybridization and stringency washes were conducted as described above for colony blot hybridization. Radiolabelled probes which hybridized to target nucleic acids were visualized by autoradiography with Kodak &#34;X-Omat&#34; film and DuPont intensifying screens (=80° C. 1 day). 
     The C. fetus-specific probes hybridized equally well with genomic DNA of 49 of 53 field strains of C. fetus of bovine, human, or ovine origin. In a typical hybridization, the C. fetus-specific oligonucleotides hybridized equally well with isolates of the subspecies fetus (ATCC 27374, NADC 1992) and venerealis (ATCC 19438, NADC isolates 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991). No hybridization occurred with genomic DNA isolated from either C. hyointestinalis (ATCC 35217) or from C. jejuni (NADC 1990). The field strains which did not hybridize were identified as follows. No hybridization occurred with two bovine isolates (NADC 5-DLF and NADC 27-J46), which, after Hha I digestion, exhibited a restriction enzyme pattern atypical of C. fetus and were subsequently identified as C. sputorum bubulus (data not shown). A bovine isolate (NADC 2460), which failed to react with the C. fetus probe did, however, hybridize with the oligonucleotide for C. hyointestinalis and was subsequently identified biochemically as such. An ovine isolate (NADC 2462) did not react with the C. fetus probe and was reidentified as a C. jejuni strain, which was inadvertently included in these studies. 
     The C. hyointestinalis-specific probe was appraised using genomic DNA of 55 field isolates of C. hyointestinalis. A typical hybridization result indicated that this probe reacted with the prototype reference strain and 14 of 18 field strains, but not with C. fetus subsp fetus (ATCC 27374), subsp venerealis (ATCC 19438), or C. jejuni. Three porcine field isolates (1585-G5, 1585-G7, and 1585-G8), which were initially identified as C. hyointestinalis based on anatomical site of recovery and weak H 2  S production, did not react with the probe under stringency conditions (6X SSC, 50° C.), used in these studies. However, relaxing the stringency conditions (4X SSC, 45° C.), resulted in a weak signal. Restriction enzyme analysis has shown these to be clones of a single strain. Isolate NADC 1705, which did not react with the C. hyointestinalis probe, was subsequently identified as C. fetus. In further assays, other isolates which did not hybridize with the C. hyointestinalis probe were identified as follows. NADC isolates 1589.2, 1705, and 2029 failed to hybridize with the oligonucleotide for C. hyointestinalis, but did react with the C. fetus specific probe and were subsequently verified as such biochemically. The human strains NADC isolate 1997, which was initially described as an atypical Campylobacter-like organism (CLO), and isolate NADC 2020 failed to react with probes for either C. hyointestinalis or for C. fetus. Isolate NADC 2020 was subsequently identified biochemically as C. jejuni; isolate NADC 1997 was not identified further. 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     The three probes described in Example 2 were evaluated in Southern blot hybridization of genomic DNA extracted from field isolates and cleaved with the restriction endonuclease Bg1 II. This assay was performed as follows. 
     Southern Blot Hybridization 
     Genomic DNA was digested with Bg1 II and restriction fragments size separated in 0.6% agarose gels (60V, 18 hr), blotted onto &#34;GeneScreen&#34; nylon membranes using the method of Southern (1975), and UV crosslinked as described by Church et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:1991-1995 (1984)]. To detect the presence of 16S rRNA genes, nylon filters were prehybridized (3 hr) and then hybridized (18 hr, 37° C.) with 5×10 6  cpm of the appropriate  32  p end-labelled oligonucleotide probe as described above. Membranes were washed once in 2X SSC, 0.1% SDS at room temperature. For C. fetus (17-mer) two stringency washes were completed in saline sodium citrate (1X SSC, 37° C., 1 hr)whereas the 29-mer required stringency washes at 47° C., in 0.1X SSC. Stringency washes for the C. hyointestinalis oligonucleotide were performed in 4X SSC (45° C., 1 hr). Dried filters were exposed to Kodak &#34;X-Omat&#34; film with two intensifying screens (-80° C., 2-7 days). 
     Nucleic acid sequences homologous with the oligonucleotide probes specific for the C. fetus 16S rRNA genes were localized within no more than three restriction fragments (9.0, 7.7, 7.0 kb). Hybridization occurred with two common restriction fragments (9.0 7.7) whereas reactivity with a third smaller restriction fragment (7.0 kb) was occasionally noted. Southern blot hybridization of C. hyointestinalis strains digested with the endonuclease Bg1 II and probed with the C. hyointestinalis specific oligonucleotide indicated that sequences encoding 16S rRNA genes were localized within no fewer than three restriction fragments: 10.1, 8.2, and 7.2 kb. 
     It is understood that the foregoing detailed description is given merely by way of illustration and that modification and variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     
                       TABLE I______________________________________Strains of Campylobacter fetusSource  No. of Strains                 NADC strain identification______________________________________Human   9             2591, 2592, 2954, 2595,                 2596, 2597, 2598, 2599,                 2600Bovine  42            5-DLF.sup.a, 6-RCM, 7-9C30,                 9-DLF, 10-71, 11-46,                 13-G26, 14-K287, 15-K6,                 18-F91, 19-L53, 21-A11,                 21-H23, 21-G36, 21-G83,                 22, 25-G28, 27-J46.sup.a,                 44-77, 1289, 1826, 1827,                 1828, 1830, 1831, 1832,                 1833, 1986, 1987, 1988,                 1989, 1991, 1992, 2456,                 2457, 2458, 2459, 2460.sup.b,                 2461, 2646, 2705, 2716Ovine   2             2462.sup.c,2642______________________________________ .sup.a Isolates 5DLF and 27J46 failed to hybridize with the C. fetus prob and were subsequently reidentified as C. sputorum subsp bubulus. .sup.b Isolate 2460 failed to hybridize with the C. fetus probe but did react with the probe for C. hyointestinalis. .sup.c Isolate reidentified as C. jejuni. 
    
     
                       TABLE II______________________________________Strains of C. HyointestinalisSource   No. of Strains                  NADC strain identification______________________________________Porcine  21            1585-G4, 1585-G5, 1585-G6,                  1585-G7, 1585-G8, 1585-G9,                  1705.sup.a, 1819, 1821, 1825,                  1916, 1917, 1919, 1920,                  2000, 2001, 2002, 2027,                  2028, 2034, 2641Human    21            1996, 1997.sup.b, 1998, 2006,                  2007, 2008, 2009, 2018,                  2019, 2020.sup.b,2021, 2022,                  2023, 2024, 2025, 2026,                  2037, 2261, 2262, 2263,                  2264Bovine   13            1492, 1493, 1587,                  1589.2.sup.a, 1592, 1593,                  2029.sup.a, 2031, 2032, 2033,                  2035, 2036, 2038______________________________________ .sup.a NADC isolates 1589.2, 1705, and 2029 hybridized with the probe specific for C. fetus and failed to react with the C. hyointestinalis-specific oligomer. .sup.b NADC isolates 1997, 2020 failed to react with the probe for either C. fetus or C. hyointestinalis. Isolate NADC 2020 was identified as C. jejuni; isolate NADC 1997 was not identified further. 
    
     
                                           TABLE III__________________________________________________________________________16S rRNA from Campylobacter Species__________________________________________________________________________C. fetus subsp venerealis        AGA .sub.-- GAGUGCU                  .sub.-- AG .sub.-- CUU .sub.-- GC .sub.-- UAG                           AAA .sub.-- GU .sub.-- UG .sub.-- AGA(ATCC 19438)C. fetus subsp fetus        AGA .sub.-- GAGUGCU                 NG .sub.-- CUU .sub.-- GC .sub.-- UAG                           AAA .sub.-- GU .sub.-- UG .sub.-- AGA(ATCC 27374)C. hyointestinalis        AGA .sub.-- UNGUNCU                 NG .sub.-- UUUNCNAG                           AAA .sub.-- UUNG .sub.-- UGA(NADC 2006)C. hyointesinalis        AGA .sub.-- UNGUNCU                 UG .sub.-- UUU .sub.-- AC .sub.--                           AAA .sub.-- UU .sub.-- AG .sub.-- UGA(ATCC 35217)POSITION 5&#39; 1017                1046      3&#39;__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE IV______________________________________Colony Blot Hybridization          C. fetus     C. hyointestinalisSpecies        (17-mer, 29-mer)                       (29-mer)______________________________________C. cineadi ATCC 35683          -            -C. coli ATCC 33559          -            -C. concisus ATCC 33237          -            -C. cryaerophila          -            -ATCC 43158C. faecalis ATCC 33709          -            -C. fenneliae ATCC 35684          -            -C. fetus subsp +            -fetus ATCC 27374C. fetus subsp +            -venerealis ATCC 19438C. hyointestinalis          -            +ATCC 35217C. jejuni ATCC 33560          -            -C. laridis ATCC 35221          -            -C. mucosalis ATCC 43264          -            -C. nitrofigilis ATCC 33309          -            -C. sputorum subsp          -            -bubulus ATCC 33562C. sputorum subsp          -            -sputorum ATCC 35980C. upsaliensis D1914          -            -______________________________________ 
    
     
         __________________________________________________________________________SEQUENCE LISTING(1) GENERAL INFORMATION:(iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 8(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 120 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: rRNA(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:(A) ORGANISM: Campylobacter fetus(B) STRAIN: fetus(C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: ATCC 27374(ix) FEATURE:(A) NAME/KEY: miscdifference(B) LOCATION: replace(51..80, &#34;&#34;)(D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note=&#34;bases 51-80 constitute ahypervariable region corresponding to bases1017-1046 of the 16S rRNA&#34;(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1:ACGCGAAGAACCUUACCUNGGCUUNAUAUCCAACUNAUCUCUUAGAGAUNAGAGAGUGCU60NGCUUGCUAGAAAGUUGAGACAGGUGCUGCACGGCUGUCGUCAGCUCGUGUCGUGAGAUG120(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 120 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: rRNA(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:(A) ORGANISM: Campylobacter fetus(B) STRAIN: venerealis(C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: ATCC 19438(ix) FEATURE:(A) NAME/KEY: miscdifference(B) LOCATION: replace(51..80, &#34;&#34;)(D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note=&#34;bases 51-80 constitute ahypervariable region corresponding to bases1017-1046 of the 16S rRNA&#34;(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2:ACGCGAAGAACCUUACCUGGGCUUGAUAUCCAACUNAUCUCUUAGAGAUAAGAGAGUGCU60AGCUUGCUAGAAAGUUGAGACAGGUGCUGCNCGGCUGUCGUCAGCUCGUG UCGUGAGAUG120(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 120 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: rRNA(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:(A) ORGANISM: Campylobacter hyointestinalis(C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: NADC 2006(ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: miscdifference(B) LOCATION: replace(51..80, &#34;&#34;)(D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note=&#34;bases 51-80 constitute ahypervariable region corresponding to bases1017-1046 of the 16S rRNA&#34;(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3:ACGCGAAGAACCUUACCUNGGNUUNAUAUCCUNAUNACAUCUUAGAGAUNAGAUNGUNCU60NGUUUNCN AGAAAUUNGUGACAGGUGCUGCACGGCUGUCGUCAGCUCGUGUCGUGAGAUG120(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 120 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: rRNA(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:( A) ORGANISM: Campylobacter hyointestinalis(C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: ATCC 35217(ix) FEATURE:(A) NAME/KEY: miscdifference(B) LOCATION: replace(51..80, &#34;&#34;)(D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note=&#34;bases 51-80 constitute ahypervariable region corresponding to bases1017-1046 of the 16S rRNA &#34;(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4:ACNNGNAGAACCUUACCUNGGCUUNAUAUCC UNAUNACAUCUUAGAGAUAAGAUNGUNCU60UGUUUACAAGAAAUUAGUGANAGGUGCUGCNCGGCUGUCGUCAGCUCGUGUCGUGAGAUG120(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 120 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA to rRNA(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:(A) ORGANISM: Campylobacter(ix) FEATURE:(A) NAME/KEY: miscdifference(B) LOCATION: replace(41..70, &#34;&#34;)(D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note=&#34;bases 41-70 arecomplementary to bases 51-80, resp. in SEQ ID NOS.1-4; bases 43, 45, 47, 53, 55, 58, 60, and 67 are(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5:CATCTCACGACACGAGCTGACGACAGCCGNGGAGCACCTNTCNCNANTTTCTNGNAANCN60AGNACNNTCTNATCTCTAAGANNTNANNNGGATATNAANCCNAGGTAAGGTTCTNCNNGT120(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 17 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA to rRNA(ix) FEATURE:(A) NAME/KEY: miscfeature(B) LOCATION: 1..17(D) OTHER INFORMATION: /product=&#34;probe&#34;/note=&#34;corresponds to bases 42-58 of SEQ ID NO 5&#34;(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6:CTCAACTTTCTAGCAAG 17(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 29 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA to rRNA(ix) FEATURE:(A) NAME/KEY: miscfeature (B) LOCATION: 1..29(D) OTHER INFORMATION: /product=&#34;probe&#34;/note=&#34;corresponds to bases 42-70 of SEQ ID NO.5&#34;(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7:CTCAACTTTCTAGCAAGCTAGCACTCTCT29(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA to rRNA(ix) FEATURE:(A) NAME/KEY: miscfeature(B) LOCATION: 1..29(D) OTHER INFORMATION: /product=&#34;probe&#34;/note=&#34;corresponds to bases 42-70 of SEQ ID NO. 5&#34;(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:8:CACTAATTTCTTGTAAACAAGCACTATCT29