Identification methods for Campylobacters, Helicobacters, and related organisms

The organisms which are referred to as campylobacteria are associated with a diverse range of diseases and habitats and are important from both clinical and economic perspectives. Accurate identification of these organisms is desirable for deciding upon appropriate therapeutic measures, and also for furthering our understanding of their pathology and epidemiology. However, the identification process is made difficult because of the complex and rapidly evolving taxonomy, fastidious nature, and biochemical inertness of these bacteria. These problems have resulted in a proliferation of phenotypic and genotypic methods for identifying members of this group. The purpose of this review is to summarize the problems associated with identifying campylobacteria, critically appraise the methods that have been used for this purpose, and discuss prospects for improvements in this field.