Campylobacter jejuni enteritis associated with raw goat's milk

Area of Science:

• Foodborne Illness Epidemiology
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Campylobacter jejuni enteritis is a significant cause of bacterial diarrheal disease.
• Concerns exist regarding the safety of consuming raw milk products due to potential pathogen transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate an outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni enteritis in King County, Washington.
• To determine the association between raw goat's milk consumption and C. jejuni infection.
• To identify the source and specific strain of C. jejuni involved.

Main Methods:

• Conducted two case-control studies to assess risk factors.
• Performed microbiological analysis, isolating C. jejuni from goats and patients.
• Utilized serotyping (Lior serotype 36) for bacterial strain comparison.

Main Results:

• Six cases of C. jejuni enteritis were linked to a single dairy producing raw goat's milk.
• Consumption of raw goat's milk from this dairy was confirmed as a significant risk factor.
• The outbreak strain, Lior serotype 36, was isolated from both affected patients and the dairy's goats.

Conclusions:

• Raw goat's milk can serve as a vehicle for transmitting Campylobacter jejuni infection to humans.
• This finding is consistent with previous research on unpasteurized cow's milk and pathogen transmission.
• Highlights the importance of public health interventions regarding raw milk consumption.