Bacteremia caused by Campylobacter-like organisms in two male homosexuals

Bacteremia caused by newly described Campylobacter-like organisms occurred in two immunosuppressed homosexual patients with tuberculosis. Although these organisms grow well in aerobic bottles using a radiometric blood culture system, they are not readily seen in gram-stained smears and are easily missed if routine subculture methods are used. Microscopic examination of wet preparations and subculture to brucella agar base supplemented with 10% sheep blood and incubated in microaerophilic conditions are useful for identification and isolation. The recovery of Campylobacter-like organisms from the blood suggests that these organisms, formerly known only to be associated with proctocolitis or asymptomatic rectal infection in homosexual men, can also cause systemic infection in these patients.