Survival of Campylobacter jejuni in the presence of bisulfite and different atmospheres.

The effects of bisulfite, atmospheric oxygen content, and temperature on death of Campylobacter jejuni were studied to more fully define the optimum conditions for survival. Temperature was the most influential factor affecting survival, death occurring up to eight times more rapidly at 25 degrees C than at 4 degrees C. Survival was greater in an oxygen-free environment (100% N2) than in the presence of any level of oxygen, i.e. 5, 21 or 100% O2; however, factors other than oxygen concentration appeared to have a much greater influence on death of Campylobacter jejuni at 25 degrees C than at 4 degrees C. Greater survival at each temperature and oxygen concentration occurred in the presence of 0.01% sodium bisulfite than in no or 0.05% sodium bisulfite. In most instances, 0.05% sodium bisulfite was toxic to Campylobacter jejuni, as the organism died more rapidly in medium containing this level of bisulfite than no bisulfite. Results indicate that cultures to be transported and/or assayed for Campylobacter jejuni at a later date would best be suspended in a medium containing 0.01% sodium bisulfite, held in an anaerobic environment, and maintained at 4 degrees C.