[Frequency and characteristics of Campylobacter jejuni-coli diarrhea in Tunisia]

Because importance of Campylobacter jejuni/coli in human disease, we studied frequency, clinical and biological symptoms of Campylobacter enteritis. Investigation has been realised on 216 cases of diarrhoea seen outside the hospital and aged from 4 days to 60 years, and 512 cases of hospitalised diarrhoea. Outside the hospital, this bacteria has the same frequency as Shigella and Salmonella (3-5%). Inside the hospital, it is rare. Outside the hospital, this bacteria is isolated in babies and children. Inside the hospital, it affects children and adults. In the hospital, clinical and biological symptoms of Campylobacter enteritis are more serious: Campylobacter predominant in stools, presence of leukocytes for all patients, and no other pathogenic organisms associated.