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Risk factors for campylobacter infection in infants and young children: a matched case-control study
1Brisbane Southside Public Health Unit, Queensland Health, Australia.
Insights
Campylobacter infection is common in young Australian children. Pet puppies and chickens, along with mayonnaise consumption, significantly increase the risk of infection in children under three.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Campylobacter infection is a leading notifiable disease in Australia.
- Infection rates peak in children aged 0-35 months.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors for Campylobacter infection in young children (0-35 months).
Main Methods:
- A matched case-control study was conducted.
- 81 cases and 144 controls were enrolled between January 1996 and January 1997.
Main Results:
- Pet puppies (OR 16.58) and pet chickens (OR 11.80) were significant risk factors.
- Mayonnaise consumption (OR 4.13) was also independently associated with illness.
Conclusions:
- Children under three years old are at increased risk of Campylobacter infection in households with pet puppies or chickens.
Abstract:
Campylobacter infection has one of the highest rates of all the notifiable diseases in Australia, with a peak in children aged 0-35 months. A matched case-control study was conducted to investigate risk factors for campylobacter infection for children in this age group. Eighty-one cases and 144 controls were enrolled in the study that was conducted between 24 January 1996 and 21 January 1997. The following risk factors were found to be independently associated with illness: ownership of pet puppies (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 16.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.73-73.65) and pet chickens (OR 11.80, CI 1.37-101.75), and consumption of mayonnaise (OR 4.13, CI 1.61-10.59). We propose that children aged less than 3 years are at risk of campylobacter infection if residing in a household which has puppies or chickens as pets.