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Abstract:
Campylobacter jejuni/coli has recently become recognized as a common bacterial cause of diarrhea. Infection can occur at any age. The usual incubation period of campylobacter enteritis is 2 to 5 days. Fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain are the most common clinical features. The stools frequently contain mucus and, a few days after the onset of symptoms, frank blood. Significant vomiting and dehydration are uncommon. A rapid presumptive laboratory diagnosis may be made during the acute phase of the illness by direct phase-contrast microscopy of stools. Isolation of the organism from stools requires culture in a selective medium containing antibiotics and incubation under reduced oxygen tension at 42 degrees C. The organism persists in the stools of untreated patients for up to 7 weeks following the onset of symptoms. Erythromycin may produce a rapid clinical and bacteriologic cure, and should be used to treat moderately to severely ill patients as well as patients with compromised host defences. The emergence of erythromycin-resistant strains requires close monitoring. The epidemiologic aspects of campylobacter enteritis will be fully understood only when methods become available for differentiating strains of C. jejuni/coli. The historical background and current knowledge of campylobacter enteritis are reviewed in this paper.
Insights
Campylobacter enteritis, a common cause of bacterial diarrhea, presents with fever, pain, and bloody stools. Erythromycin can cure infections, but monitoring for resistant strains is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Campylobacter jejuni/coli is a frequent bacterial cause of diarrhea across all age groups.
- Campylobacter enteritis symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, and often bloody stools.
- While severe vomiting and dehydration are rare, the infection can persist for weeks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical background and current knowledge of Campylobacter enteritis.
- To discuss diagnostic methods, treatment options, and emerging challenges like antibiotic resistance.
Main Methods:
- Direct phase-contrast microscopy for rapid presumptive diagnosis.
- Stool culture on selective media under microaerophilic conditions at 42°C for isolation.
- Review of existing literature on Campylobacter enteritis epidemiology and clinical features.
Main Results:
- The incubation period is typically 2-5 days, with symptoms including fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
- Bloody stools are common, while significant vomiting and dehydration are infrequent.
- Erythromycin offers a rapid cure for moderate to severe cases and immunocompromised patients.
Conclusions:
- Early diagnosis can be achieved through microscopy, with culture confirming the presence of Campylobacter.
- Erythromycin is effective, but the emergence of resistant strains necessitates careful monitoring.
- Further research into strain differentiation is needed for a complete understanding of Campylobacter epidemiology.