Generally speaking, Campylobacter is Gram-negative bacteria. They typically have a comma or S-shaped appearance and are motile. They can infect humans and cause diarrhoeal diseases.
Diarrhoeal diseases
Among the most common bacterial infections in humans, Campylobacter infections produce diarrhea and often bacteremia, or blood in the stool. Affected individuals can be infected by eating raw meat, drinking contaminated water, or through contact with infected animals. The bacteria, which are usually gram-negative bacilli, are found in the intestines of many animals, including humans.
Symptoms of Campylobacter infection can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, irritability, and dehydration. Diarrhea can last for days and is bloody. The infection can lead to dehydration, especially if it lasts longer than three days. Infected people should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. A physician may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. However, most people recover from the disease without antibiotics.
The infection is most common in babies and young children, although older children and adults can also get infected. Campylobacter is most commonly found in unpasteurized milk and meat. In addition, the bacteria can contaminate water and can be transferred to ready-to-eat foods. Infected people can pass the bacteria to others through feces.
People who develop diarrhea and fever from Campylobacter infection should see a physician immediately. If symptoms last longer than a week, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. However, most people recover from Campylobacter infections on their own. If a physician finds that an individual has a Campylobacter infection, the physician should report the infection to the local health department.
The CDC reports that about 2.5 million cases of Campylobacter are diagnosed each year in the United States. In 1996, the CDC initiated an active surveillance system to monitor the disease and increase public awareness. Increasing awareness of the risk of infection can include educating people about the proper handling of food and proper cooking techniques.
To help prevent the spread of Campylobacter infections, washing hands often with soap and water and using separate cutting boards for meat are recommended. Raw meat should be treated as contaminated and should be cooked until it is no longer pink. Using a plastic bag to wrap raw meat is also recommended. People should be careful to separate the meat from the bones and rinse any cutting boards and counters used for raw meat immediately after preparation.
Arthritis
During an intestinal infection with Campylobacter, patients can develop reactive musculoskeletal symptoms. The immune system produces T-lymphocytes that attack the soft tissue lining the joints. The symptoms of reactive arthritis are similar to those seen with other types of bacterial diarrhea. This type of arthritis can be mild and last for weeks or months.
Campylobacter infection is increasing in prevalence in the community. It is most often diagnosed in the form of diarrhea. However, it also causes reactive arthritis. Several articles have described the rheumatic manifestations of Campylobacter jejuni in adults. Symptoms of arthritis usually involve the lower leg joints. The course of arthritis may run benign for several months or it may be septic, with destructive lesions of the periarticular bone. In addition to joint inflammation, urinary tract inflammation can lead to urinating difficulties. In women, the pain associated with urinating may also be accompanied by a burning sensation.
In a study of a population-based sample of patients with culture-proven bacterial gastroenteritis, the incidence of reactive arthritis was estimated. A subset of 54 patients met the criteria for diagnosis of reactive arthritis. Among these patients, three died and 20 had septic arthritis. A symptom-free interval between diarrhea and arthritis was found to last from a few days to several weeks.
A recent visit abroad was a risk factor for infection. In addition, the duration of the gastroenteritis was longer in patients with CC. There was also a higher number of extra-articular symptoms in patients with CC. The majority of cases were female.
The risk of reactive arthritis increased in patients with a genetic marker for HLA-B27. A 36-year-old HLA-B27-positive woman developed reactive arthritis after a week of Campylobacter jejuni enteritis. In addition, the erythroid sedimentation rate was higher in HLA-B27 positive patients than in HLA-B27 negative patients.
In addition to infection with Campylobacter, reactive arthritis can be caused by other bacterial infections. For example, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus can lead to reactive arthritis. Another type of infection, Yersinia enterocolitica, can trigger reactive arthritis. However, there is no consensus on how to define reactive arthritis. This may contribute to the wide variation in incidence estimates.
Pulmonary, immunologic and cardiac diseases
Often referred to as “sheep fever” and “fetus infection,” Campylobacter causes a variety of infections, including pulmonary, immunologic, and cardiac diseases. Generally, these diseases affect children and young adults. The infection can also cause a variety of complications, including bacteremia, thrombophlebitis, meningitis, and abortion.
A person can contract Campylobacter through contact with contaminated meat or dairy products. The bacteria are also transmitted through water that has been contaminated with fecal material. A person can also become infected through direct contact with animals, such as dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, and pigs.
Although Campylobacter infections are rare, there have been instances of person-to-person transmission, and in some cases, the bacteria are transmitted through the air. In other cases, the bacteria are found in contaminated water, milk, and feces.
In some cases, Campylobacter can cause an acute gastrointestinal illness, such as diarrhea. If this infection is not treated, it can progress to a more serious condition, such as bacterial pneumonia. Symptoms of Campylobacter pneumonia include shortness of breath, chest pain, and weakness. People with weakened immune systems may also be at risk.
In a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter, antibiotic resistance was identified in one-quarter of the strains tested. In addition, fluoroquinolones, which were commonly used overseas, were removed from US animal feed in 2005. Because of these factors, antibiotic resistance is becoming a major concern in the United States.
Campylobacter species are also found in shellfish, but they have not been linked to disease in animals. Most human infections are caused by thermophilic species of Campylobacter, such as C. jejuni and C. sputorum.
Historically, dark-field microscopy was used to diagnose Campylobacter enteritis. This was used in conjunction with latex agglutination to identify bacteria. Although the pathogenesis of Campylobacter enteritis is not clear, it may be related to the presence of a cytotoxin.
The most important factor in preventing Campylobacter infection is the thorough cooking of meat and dairy products. It is also important to avoid raw or untreated foods. People should also wash produce and avoid drinking water that has been contaminated with fecal matter. People with Campylobacter infection should also stay hydrated and take electrolyte replacements.
Prevention
Having an effective Campylobacter prevention strategy is important for people responsible for food safety. The most important prevention method is cooking meat to a safe minimum temperature of 165 degF.
People are most susceptible to Campylobacter infections when they eat raw poultry and other foods that are not properly cooked. These foods can also be contaminated by feces from animals. The most common foods contaminated with campylobacter include chicken, turkey, duck, and other farmed birds.
Other foods that are contaminated with campylobacter include milk, eggs, produce, and seafood. In the case of milk, it is important to keep it out of reach of children, especially children younger than 1 year old. If you are concerned about campylobacter, you should avoid drinking raw milk and eating unpasteurized dairy products.
If you have a weakened immune system, you may be more susceptible to Campylobacter infection. People with weakened immune systems may have a life-threatening infection if they are not treated correctly. If you have symptoms of Campylobacter, you should see your doctor immediately. You may need to be treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms of campylobacter usually begin two to five days after you eat food that contains the bacteria. You may experience stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fever. You may also experience bloating and pain in your abdomen. These symptoms usually last for one week. If your symptoms persist, you may need to go to the hospital.
You can prevent Campylobacter from forming in the first place by using proper cleaning techniques. Make sure to wash your hands and utensils thoroughly. Also, keep raw foods separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
You can also check the temperature of the food before you eat it. A food thermometer is the best tool to use to make sure that your food is cooked properly.
You may also want to take a course on food safety. This is especially important if you work in restaurants or the food industry. The course is also a good idea if you are a health care provider. Taking a course can help you understand how to prevent Campylobacter.
You can prevent Campylobacter by keeping your water supplies clean. If you drink water that does not have a filter, you may want to add chlorine or bleach. You can also check your well water to make sure that it is free of contamination.
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U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
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Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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