The impact of routine isolation techniques for Campylobacter jejuni in stool cultures

Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as a leading cause of bacterial diarrhea. We studied the impact of performing routine isolation techniques for C jejuni in stool cultures in a community hospital. Since instituting such techniques, we have found C jejuni to be the leading cause of bacterial diarrhea at our hospital. Clinical and laboratory manifestations and treatment did not distinguish patients with C jejuni from patients with Salmonella species isolated from the stool. We believe that microbiology laboratories should incorporate routine measures for detecting C jejuni in fecal specimens.