Clinical Course of Children with Campylobacter Gastroenteritis With and Without Co-Infection in Lima, Peru

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Galo Amaro Munoz1, Maribel Denise Riveros-Ramirez1,2, Elsa Chea-Woo1

  • 1School of Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|March 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Coinfections with Campylobacter spp. in children aged 12-24 months often present with more severe symptoms than single infections. Macrolide treatment may offer faster recovery for severe coinfection cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Clinical Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Gastroenteritis is a common childhood illness, with Campylobacter spp. being a significant pathogen.
  • Understanding the clinical impact of single versus coinfections is crucial for effective treatment.
  • Pediatric populations, particularly those aged 12-24 months, are vulnerable to severe diarrheal diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the clinical presentation and outcomes of Campylobacter spp. gastroenteritis in single infections versus coinfections.
  • To evaluate the impact of empirical antibiotic treatment, specifically macrolides, on clinical course.
  • To analyze treatment responses in relation to infection type (single vs. coinfection) and severity.

Main Methods:

  • Descriptive study of a pediatric cohort in Lima, Peru (2008-2011).
  • Evaluation of 96 diarrheal episodes with positive Campylobacter spp. cultures.
  • Analysis of clinical data including symptom duration, frequency of bowel movements, vomiting, and fever, stratified by infection type and treatment.

Main Results:

  • Coinfections (64.6%) were more frequent than single infections, often involving Escherichia coli, norovirus, or Giardia.
  • Coinfections exhibited longer symptom duration (6.6 vs. 5.7 days), higher bowel movement frequency (18.9 vs. 14.8), and increased rates of vomiting and fever compared to single infections.
  • Patients with severe coinfections treated with macrolides showed a potential for faster recovery than those treated with non-macrolides.

Conclusions:

  • Campylobacter spp. coinfections in young children generally lead to more severe gastroenteritis than single infections.
  • Empirical macrolide treatment may be associated with improved clinical outcomes in severe cases of Campylobacter coinfection.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm the efficacy of macrolides in managing severe pediatric Campylobacter coinfections.

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