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The Citrobacter rodentium Mouse Model: Studying Pathogen and Host Contributions to Infectious Colitis
Published on: February 19, 2013
Acute colitis caused by Campylobacter fetus ss. jejuni
Gastroenterology
|March 1, 1980
Summary
Campylobacter fetus subspecies jejuni causes enteritis, presenting as acute abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Erythromycin therapy led to complete recovery in four patients with confirmed colitis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Campylobacter fetus subspecies jejuni is an emerging enteric pathogen.
- The pathology of C. fetus ss. jejuni-induced enteritis remains poorly understood.
Observation:
- Four patients presented with acute abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.
- Fecal cultures confirmed C. fetus ss. jejuni infection.
- Sigmoidoscopy revealed colonic involvement, with biopsy showing acute colitis and inflammatory infiltrates.
Findings:
- Patients exhibited a fourfold rise in serum IgG titers to C. fetus ss. jejuni.
- Histopathological examination confirmed acute colitis with crypt abscesses.
- All patients achieved complete clinical improvement following erythromycin treatment.
Implications:
- Campylobacter enteritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute colitis.
- Erythromycin is an effective treatment for C. fetus ss. jejuni-induced enteritis.
- Further research into the pathophysiology of this infection is warranted.
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