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Culture Methods to Determine the Limit of Detection and Survival in Transport Media of Campylobacter Jejuni in Human Fecal Specimens
08:23

Culture Methods to Determine the Limit of Detection and Survival in Transport Media of Campylobacter Jejuni in Human Fecal Specimens

Published on: March 10, 2020

pVir and bloody diarrhea in Campylobacter jejuni enteritis

Dobryan M Tracz1, Monika Keelan, Jasmine Ahmed-Bentley

  • 1University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|June 21, 2005
PubMed

Insights

The pVir plasmid in Campylobacter jejuni may contribute to invasive infections, as it was linked to bloody stools in patients. This virulence factor was found in 17% of isolates but not associated with other common symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Campylobacter jejuni is a primary cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide.
  • Virulence factors are crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of C. jejuni infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the pVir plasmid in C. jejuni virulence.
  • To determine the association of pVir with clinical manifestations of infection.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 104 C. jejuni clinical isolates for the presence of the pVir plasmid.
  • Statistical analysis to correlate pVir presence with clinical data, including bloody stools, diarrhea, fever, pain, vomiting, and hospitalization.
  • Investigation of plasmid transfer in conjunction with tetracycline-resistance plasmids.

Main Results:

  • The pVir plasmid was detected in 17% of the C. jejuni isolates.
  • pVir presence was significantly associated with bloody stools, an indicator of invasive infection.
  • No significant association was found between pVir and diarrhea, fever, pain, vomiting, or hospitalization.
  • pVir was associated with tetracycline-resistance plasmids but did not co-transfer.

Conclusions:

  • The pVir plasmid is a potential virulence factor in C. jejuni.
  • The presence of pVir may indicate a higher risk of invasive infection, characterized by bloody stools.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which pVir contributes to C. jejuni pathogenesis.

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