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Updated: Dec 12, 2025
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
Genomic epidemiology of Campylobacter jejuni associated with asymptomatic pediatric infection in the Peruvian Amazon
Ben Pascoe1,2, Francesca Schiaffino3,4, Susan Murray5,6
1The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom.
Insights
Campylobacter infections are common in low-income countries, causing developmental issues in children. Genetic analysis revealed unique local strains, highlighting host factors in asymptomatic campylobacteriosis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Campylobacter is a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis globally, with higher incidence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Campylobacter infections in LMIC children can be frequent, chronic, and asymptomatic, potentially impacting early childhood development.
- Disease epidemiology and presentation differ significantly between LMICs and high-income countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To sequence and genetically characterize Campylobacter jejuni strains from a longitudinal cohort of young children in Peru.
- To compare local C. jejuni genomes with a global collection to understand epidemiological differences.
- To investigate the genetic basis of symptomatic and asymptomatic campylobacteriosis in LMICs.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing of 62 C. jejuni isolates from children under 5 years old.
- Phylogenetic analysis to contextualize local strains within a global C. jejuni genome collection.
- Genomic comparison to identify population structure and potential sources of infection.
Main Results:
- Local C. jejuni populations showed distinct genomic features, differing from common global disease-causing lineages.
- Poultry-associated strains were identified as a likely source of human infection.
- Nearly half of local infections (15/31) were linked to genotypes rare outside Peru.
- Asymptomatic infections involved diverse C. jejuni strains, not limited to specific human-adapted lineages.
Conclusions:
- Genomic epidemiology of C. jejuni in LMICs reflects unique disease patterns, with distinct local lineages.
- Host factors likely play a significant role in the occurrence of asymptomatic campylobacteriosis in LMICs.
- Understanding local genomic diversity is crucial for addressing the burden of campylobacteriosis in vulnerable populations.
Abstract:
Campylobacter is the leading bacterial cause of gastroenteritis worldwide and its incidence is especially high in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Disease epidemiology in LMICs is different compared to high income countries like the USA or in Europe. Children in LMICs commonly have repeated and chronic infections even in the absence of symptoms, which can lead to deficits in early childhood development. In this study, we sequenced and characterized C. jejuni (n = 62) from a longitudinal cohort study of children under the age of 5 with and without diarrheal symptoms, and contextualized them within a global C. jejuni genome collection. Epidemiological differences in disease presentation were reflected in the genomes, specifically by the absence of some of the most common global disease-causing lineages. As in many other countries, poultry-associated strains were likely a major source of human infection but almost half of local disease cases (15 of 31) were attributable to genotypes that are rare outside of Peru. Asymptomatic infection was not limited to a single (or few) human adapted lineages but resulted from phylogenetically divergent strains suggesting an important role for host factors in the cryptic epidemiology of campylobacteriosis in LMICs.
