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Campylobacter enteritis in Johannesburg
South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
|February 14, 1981
Summary
Routine stool culture for Campylobacter fetus in infants under 2 and diarrhoeic older individuals is effective. This targeted approach ensures Campylobacter fetus (Camp. fetus) detection rates comparable to Salmonella and E. coli, crucial for diagnosing diarrhoea.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Campylobacter fetus (Camp. fetus) is a significant cause of bacterial diarrhoea.
- Establishing optimal diagnostic protocols for Camp. fetus is essential for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine a reasonable protocol for routine stool culture for Camp. fetus in a diagnostic laboratory.
- To evaluate the efficacy of a targeted culture policy compared to universal culturing.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted, focusing stool culture for Camp. fetus on infants under 2 years and older individuals with diarrhoeic stools.
- Isolation rates of Camp. fetus were compared to previously reported universal culturing surveys.
Main Results:
- Camp. fetus was isolated from 4.3% of 2323 stool specimens.
- The targeted culture policy yielded isolation rates comparable to universal culturing.
- Black infants exhibited a significantly higher isolation rate of Camp. fetus than White infants.
Conclusions:
- Routine culture for Camp. fetus is a vital component of diarrhoea investigations.
- A partially selective culture policy for Camp. fetus achieves recovery rates similar to Salmonella and enteropathogenic E. coli.