Cells of most species are slender, spirally curved rods, 0.2–0.8 × 0.5–5 µm; cells of some species are predominantly curved or straight rods. The rods may have one or more spirals and can be as long as 8 µm. They also appear S-shaped and gull-winged when two cells form short chains. Nonsporeforming. Cells in old cultures may form spherical or coccoid bodies. Cells have a multilaminar polar membrane at both ends of the cell that is located under the cytoplasmic membrane. Gram negative. Cells of most species are motile with a characteristic corkscrewlike motion by means of a single polar unsheathed flagellum at one or both ends of the cell. The flagella may be 2–3 times the length of the cells. Cells of other species are nonmotile (Campylobacter gracilis) or have multiple flagella (Campylobacter showae). Occasionally differences in the number of flagella shown by cells in a single culture are seen (Campylobacter hyointestinalis).The mol% G + C of the DNA is: 29–47.Type species: Campylobacter fetus
This genus contains microbial species that can reside in the human gastrointestinal tract. [PMC 4262072]
Microbial Abundance Data: Campylobacter (Percent of total population with standard deviation [PMID: 22698087])
