Lack of response of INT-407 cells to the presence of non-culturableCampylobacter jejuni
SUMMARYMany contradictory articles on the infectivity of non-culturableCampylobacter jejunican be found. We studied the effect of non-culturableC. jejuniin anin vitroassay. To prevent the potential effect of a few culturable bacteria in the non-culturable suspension, INT-407 cells, which mimic the outer cell layer in the small intestines, were exposed to culturableC. jejunisuspensions with or without non-culturableC. jejuni. The number of bacteria adhering to and/or invading INT-407 cells and the IL-8 secretion were measured. No differences were found between bacterial suspensions with or without non-culturableC. jejuniadded. These findings show that non-culturableC. jejunido not adhere to or invade INT-407 cells and do not induce an immune response. As previous studies showed a correlation between the usedin vitroassays and the effectin vivo, our study strongly suggests that culturability is a good indicator of the risk forC. jejuniinfection.