Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni: experience in a large Chicago medical center

From January 1979 through December 1979, 2069 stool specimens received by our laboratory for enteric culturing were additionally examined for the presence of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni. The study population included inpatients, outpatients and hospital food handlers. Patients were included regardless of symptoms. Enteric pathogens were identified as follows: Salmonella, 27 isolates; Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni, 26 isolates; and Shigella, 11 isolates. Twenty-five of 26 patients with stool cultures positive for Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni had an acute diarrheal illness. Diarrhea, fever and chills were the most common symptoms. In most patients the disease was self-limited, requiring only supportive therapy. A seasonal variation was noted, with 14 of the 26 patients presenting between July and September.