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Campylobacter gastroenteritis in neonates
Insights
Campylobacter fetus enteritis is an uncommon newborn infection. This study found that newborn Campylobacter gastroenteritis, often presenting with bloody diarrhea, is typically afebrile and resolves with antimicrobial treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Campylobacter fetus enteritis is considered rare in neonates.
- Previous literature suggests limited understanding of this infection in newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of Campylobacter fetus subspecies jejuni gastroenteritis in term neonates.
- To investigate potential sources of infection in newborns.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of eight term neonates diagnosed with Campylobacter fetus subspecies jejuni gastroenteritis over a two-year period.
- Clinical data including symptoms, fever, blood culture results, and treatment outcomes were reviewed.
- Maternal screening for Campylobacter colonization was performed.
Main Results:
- Eight term neonates presented with gastroenteritis, primarily characterized by bloody diarrhea and irritability, typically within the first two weeks of life.
- The illness was generally mild, with only one infant experiencing fever and no serious complications or bacteremia reported.
- Five mothers had Campylobacter identified in stool or vaginal samples, suggesting potential perinatal transmission.
Conclusions:
- Campylobacter gastroenteritis in neonates presents similarly to older children and adults but is notably often afebrile.
- The bacterium is likely acquired from the mother during or shortly after delivery.
- Prompt antimicrobial treatment leads to rapid recovery in affected infants.
Abstract:
Campylobacter fetus enteritis is thought to be an unusual infection in the newborn. We describe eight term neonates with gastroenteritis caused by C fetus subspecies jejuni who were seen during a two-year period. Symptoms of bloody diarrhea (7/8) and irritability (6/8) began between 2 and 11 days of age. None of the infants was seriously ill; only one infant was febrile. None of the seven infants who had blood cultures drawn had bacteremia with C fetus, and none of the infants had complications. The infants were treated with antimicrobial agents and recovered rapidly. Five mothers had Campylobacter cultured from the stool or vagina. The cases were not related epidemiologically. We concluded that Campylobacter gastroenteritis in the newborn clinically resembles Campylobacter gastroenteritis in older children and adults, except that it is generally an afebrile illness. The bacterium most likely is acquired from the mother during or shortly after delivery.