Campylobacter enteritis. A 3-year experience

Clinical Pediatrics
|June 1, 1984
PubMed

Insights

Campylobacter jejuni infections are common in young children, especially during summer months. This bacterial enteritis can present with typical or atypical symptoms and lead to severe complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Campylobacter jejuni is a significant cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide.
  • Understanding the epidemiology and clinical spectrum of C. jejuni infections in children is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

Observation:

  • A 3-year study at Oklahoma Children's Memorial Hospital identified C. jejuni in 135 pediatric patients.
  • C. jejuni was isolated less frequently than Salmonella and Shigella.
  • Infections peaked during warmer months (May-October), with 70% of cases in children aged 2 years or younger.

Findings:

  • Clinical presentations varied, including typical acute diarrhea with fever and abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, asymptomatic bloody stools in neonates, and fever/abdominal pain without diarrhea.
  • Severe complications observed were hemolytic-uremic syndrome, sepsis with septic arthritis/osteomyelitis, and failure to thrive.

Implications:

  • Highlights the prevalence of Campylobacter enteritis in young children and its seasonal variation.
  • Emphasizes the diverse clinical manifestations, necessitating a broad differential diagnosis in pediatric patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • Underscores the potential for severe complications, including invasive disease and long-term sequelae.

Related Concept Videos

Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:23

Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management

The clinical manifestations of gastritis can vary depending on the cause and type of gastritis, but some common symptoms may include the following.
Clinical manifestations of acute gastritis
The patient with acute gastritis may have a rapid onset of symptoms, such as epigastric pain or discomfort, dyspepsia, anorexia, hiccups, or nausea and vomiting, which can last from a few hours to a few days. Erosive or hemorrhagic gastritis may cause bleeding, which may manifest as blood in vomit or as...
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. It can be either acute or chronic.
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Cholecystitis01:20

Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, most commonly caused by obstruction of the cystic duct. This blockage prevents bile from draining, leading to gallbladder distension, inflammation, and potentially serious complications. This condition may present acutely or chronically and can happen with or without gallstones.EtiologyAbout 95% of cholecystitis cases are calculous, caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, leading to bile accumulation and inflammation of the gallbladder...
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:25

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Acute pancreatitis is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas caused by the early activation of digestive enzymes, leading to the autodigestion of pancreatic tissue. This results in local inflammation and, in severe cases, systemic complications.EtiologyUnderstanding the underlying causes is crucial, as identifying the etiology guides treatment and anticipates complications. Acute pancreatitis can be triggered by various factors, typically grouped into the following clinical categories.Biliary...