Campylobacter enteritis (campylobacteriosis)

• Pathogen

  • Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli

  • Curved, gram-negative, oxidase-positive rods with polar flagella

  • Optimal growth temperature: 37–42°C

  • Most common pathogen responsible for foodborne gastroenteritis in the US

  • Highly contagious: low infective dose required (> 500 organisms)

• Transmission

  • Fecal-oral

  • Foodborne (undercooked meat and unpasteurized milk), contaminated water

  • Direct contact with infected animals (i.e., cats, dogs, pigs) or animal products

• Incubation period: 2–4 days

“There's no camping without a campfire:” Campylobacter jejuni grows best at hot temperatures.

• Duration: up to a week

• High fever, aches, dizziness

• Inflammatory (bloody) diarrhea, especially in children

• Severe abdominal pain may present as pseudoappendicitis or colitis.

• Supportive therapy for gastroenteritis: e.g., bland diet, oral rehydration therapy

• Antibiotic therapy: macrolides, e.g., erythromycin or azithromycin in severe cases

Complications are more common and severe in patients with HIV ).

• Guillain-Barré syndrome

• Reactive arthritis

• Acute abdomen: cholecystitis, pancreatitis

• Bacteremia