What type of motility is associated with Campylobacter jejuni?

Campylobacter jejuni is characterized by its unique darting motility, which is primarily due to the presence of a single polar flagellum at one or both ends of the bacterial cell. This flagellar arrangement allows for rapid movement in a characteristic corkscrew or darting manner, particularly in viscous environments such as mucus. This type of motility is significant for its ability to colonize and penetrate the intestinal lining of hosts.

In contrast, flagellar motility is a more general term that refers to any organism that uses flagella for movement, which does not capture the specific darting behavior seen with Campylobacter jejuni. Creeping motility typically describes the slower movement associated with some other bacteria that do not exhibit the same rapid darting behavior. Finally, non-motile organisms would not move at all, which is not applicable to Campylobacter jejuni as it is certainly motile. Therefore, the distinct darting motility is the defining characteristic of Campylobacter jejuni.