Variability of Point Mutation Rates in Campylobacter coli: Preliminary Data and Observations.

In this study we evaluated the in vitro variability of flaA in Campylobacter coli strains (Co19 and Co29) isolated from distinct poultry farms. Strains were characterized by flaA PCR-RFLP and subcultured in absence or presence of Salmonella enterica (S. Gallinarum) as a host competitor in poultry. Only transition mutations were detected and no flaA-flaB recombination events were observed. The highest ratio of flaA mutations was detected in the presence of competitor (1x10-6 and 4.8x10-6 for Co19 and Co29, respectively). While, transitions in absence of competitor were observed only in the strain Co29 (5.8x10-7). Data obtained in this investigation represent a preliminary study aimed to evaluate the possible linkage between specific haplotypes and their proneness to acquire point mutations which in turn might help strains to gain a better fitness for survival within and outside hosts.