At what temperature does Campylobacter sp. grow best?

Campylobacter species are known for their preference for higher temperatures, specifically 42ºC, which aligns closely with the body temperature of poultry, their primary reservoir. This temperature is optimal for their growth and enhances their metabolic activities, allowing for efficient reproduction and virulence. While Campylobacter can grow at lower temperatures, they do not multiply effectively, which is why the 42ºC range is significant in laboratory settings and food safety monitoring. Understanding this temperature preference is crucial in microbiology, particularly in the context of isolating and identifying this pathogen in clinical and environmental samples.