Camphylobacter

Campylobacter Campylobacter

Muni Venkatesh.PGroup 2

CampylobacterCampylobacterLeading cause of bacterial diarrheal illness in US

Estimated 2.4 million cases each year in the US

In CA, there were 5,736 cases reported in 2001

Occurs as isolated, sporadic events, not as a part of large outbreaks.

Children under five years and young adults (15-29) are more frequently affected.

Typical OrganismsTypical Organisms Gram-negative rods with comma, S, or “gull-wing” shapes.

Motive, with a single polar flagellum

No spore & no capsule

CultureCultureAn atmosphere with reduced O2 (5% O2) with added CO2 (10% CO2)

At 42 (for selection)℃Several selective media can be used (eg, Skirrow’s medium)Two types of colonies:

watery and spreading round and convex

Virulence FactorVirulence FactorLipopolysaccharides (LPS) with endotoxic activity

Cytopathic extracellular toxins and enterotoxins have been found

PathogenesisPathogenesisThe infection by oral route from food, drink, or contact with infected animals or animal products(Milk, meat products ).Susceptible to gastric acid (about 104

organisums) Multiply in the small intestine invade the epithium produce inflammation cause bloody stoolsOccasionally, the bloodstream is invaded

TransmissionTransmissionContaminated food (particularly poultry)

Un-treated water

Unpasteurized milk

Contact with infected animals (particularly cats and puppies).

Can be spread from person to person by the fecal-oral route.

Poultry and Poultry and CampylobacterCampylobacter

80% of poultry for human consumption is contaminated with

Campylobacter.

Campylobacter - Campylobacter - symptomssymptoms

Symptoms of campylobacteriosis usually occur within 2 to 10 days

Diarrhea (may contain blood or mucus)

Fever

Nausea

Vomiting

Abdominal Pain

TreatmentTreatment

Most infected persons with Campylobacter will recover without any specific treatment.

In severe cases, antibiotics can be used.

ComplicationsComplications

Meningitis

Urinary tract infections

Septicemia

Reactive arthritis (rare and almost always short-term)

Guillain-Barre syndrome, an unusual type of paralysis (rare).

Diagnostic Diagnostic Laboratory TestsLaboratory Tests

Specimens: Diarrheal stools

Smears: Gram-stained smears of stool may show the typical “gull-shaped” rods.

Culture: (have been described above)

PreventionPrevention

To protect the public, anyone who is infected with Campylobacter should not work as a food handler, patient care provider, dairy

processor or child care provider until there is no longer a risk of infecting others.