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Updated: May 24, 2026
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
A Campylobacter outbreak in a Barcelona school
Eugenio Calciati1, Sarah Lafuente, Mercé De Simó
1Servei d'Epidemiologia, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. eugeniocalciati@gmail.com
Enfermedades Infecciosas Y Microbiologia Clinica
|March 20, 2012
Summary
Campylobacter outbreaks in schools are rare. This investigation linked roast chicken and Russian salad to a 75-child outbreak, highlighting poor food safety practices as the cause.
Area of Science:
- Foodborne illness epidemiology
- Microbial outbreak investigation
Background:
- Campylobacteriosis outbreaks are infrequently documented compared to individual cases.
- Understanding outbreak dynamics is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of a specific Campylobacter outbreak in a primary school setting.
- To identify the source and contributing factors of the outbreak.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological investigation of 75 affected primary school children.
- Stool sample examination for Campylobacter.
- Bacteriological typing to identify the pathogen strain.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between illness onset and consumption of roast chicken and Russian salad.
- The highest risk ratio was linked to food consumed four days prior to the outbreak's peak.
- Cross-contamination from raw chicken to cooked food was implicated.
Conclusions:
- Inadequate food preparation techniques and substandard kitchen hygiene were identified as primary factors.
- These deficiencies facilitated Campylobacter cross-contamination from raw chicken to prepared meals.
- Implementing improved food safety protocols is essential to prevent future outbreaks.
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