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[Campylobacter-enteritis in children (author's transl)]
Summary
Campylobacter fetus ssp. jejuni infections were identified in young children with diarrhea in 1980. This bacterial infection was more prevalent in summer, in boys, and in those under 4 years old.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Enteropathogenic bacteria are a significant cause of childhood diarrhea.
- Campylobacter fetus subspecies jejuni is a recognized enteric pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the prevalence and characteristics of Campylobacter fetus ssp. jejuni infections in young children with diarrhea.
- To describe the clinical presentation and antimicrobial susceptibility of identified strains.
Main Methods:
- Routine screening of stool specimens from children up to 6 years old with diarrhea.
- Epidemiological data collection on age, sex, and season of infection.
- Clinical symptom documentation.
- Antimicrobial sensitivity testing of isolated bacterial strains.
Main Results:
- 72 cases of Campylobacter fetus ssp. jejuni infection were detected out of 3,680 stool specimens (1.95% prevalence).
- Infections peaked during summer months and were more common in children under 4 years and in boys (2.9:1 ratio).
- Common symptoms included watery, mucus, and hemorrhagic diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. All isolates showed similar sensitivity to tested chemotherapeutics.
Conclusions:
- Campylobacter fetus ssp. jejuni was an identifiable cause of bacterial diarrhea in young children in 1980.
- The findings highlight specific demographic and seasonal risk factors for this infection.
- Consistent antimicrobial sensitivity patterns were observed across all tested strains.