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Campylobacter jejuni--an emerging foodborne pathogen.
S F Altekruse1, N J Stern, P I Fields
1U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. saltekru@vt.edu
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|March 19, 1999
Summary
Campylobacter jejuni causes widespread foodborne illness in the US, leading to severe complications and antibiotic resistance. Preventing human campylobacteriosis requires addressing risks from poultry handling and consumption.
Area of Science:
- Foodborne pathogens
- Bacteriology
- Public health
Background:
- Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of bacterial foodborne infections in the United States.
- Infections can lead to chronic health issues like Guillain-Barré syndrome and reactive arthritis.
- A growing concern is the increasing antimicrobial resistance of C. jejuni strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the public health impact of Campylobacter jejuni infections.
- To identify key risk factors associated with human campylobacteriosis.
- To emphasize the need for comprehensive prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on C. jejuni infections.
- Analysis of clinical outcomes and antimicrobial resistance patterns.
- Identification of food handling and consumption risk factors.
Main Results:
- C. jejuni is the primary bacterial cause of foodborne illness in the US.
- Associated sequelae include Guillain-Barré syndrome and reactive arthritis.
- Antimicrobial resistance in C. jejuni infections is a significant and growing problem.
Conclusions:
- Campylobacter jejuni poses a substantial threat to public health due to its prevalence and associated complications.
- Inadequate poultry handling and undercooking are major contributors to human campylobacteriosis.
- Interventions across the entire food chain are crucial for effective prevention of C. jejuni infections.