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[Acute diarrhoea due to Campylobacter jejuni in children (author's transl)]
Insights
Campylobacter jejuni infections were found in 3 of 17 children with acute diarrhea. Symptoms varied, including dysentery and appendicitis-like illness, highlighting the need for routine testing.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute diarrhea is a common pediatric illness.
- Campylobacter jejuni is a known cause of bacterial gastroenteritis.
- Understanding the prevalence of C. jejuni in specific populations is crucial for public health.
Observation:
- A systematic search was conducted for Campylobacter jejuni in stool samples from children presenting with acute diarrhea.
- The study period was two months, involving 17 children.
- The organism was identified in 3 out of the 17 children (17.6%).
Findings:
- The three positive cases presented with diverse clinical manifestations beyond diarrhea.
- One child had febrile dysentery, another showed symptoms suggestive of appendicitis, and the third experienced chronic diarrhea with malnutrition.
- Two cases resolved spontaneously, while one responded to erythromycin treatment.
Implications:
- Phase-contrast microscopy of fresh stools offers a rapid diagnostic method.
- Routine screening for Campylobacter jejuni in pediatric diarrhea cases in France is recommended.
- This could provide valuable data on the incidence and epidemiology of C. jejuni infections in the region.
Abstract:
A systematic search for Campylobacter jejuni in stool cultures from children with acute diarrhoea showed within two months that the organism was present in 3 out of 17 children. Apart from diarrhoea, the symptoms were different in each case: one child had febrile dysentery, another exhibited symptoms resembling appendicitis and the third one had chronic diarrhoea with denutrition. The condition regressed spontaneously in two cases and after erythromycin treatment in one. Phase-contrast microscope examination of fresh stools may rapidly point to the diagnosis. Routine search for Campylobacter jejuni should yield information on the incidence and epidemiology of these infections in France.