A survey of Campylobacter bacteremia in three Danish counties, 1989 to 1994

Over a 5-year period (April 1989 to March 1994) bacteremia caused by Campylobacter species was diagnosed in 15 patients in a population of 1.3 million in three counties in Jutland province, Denmark. The incidence was 0.2/100,000/year and the ratio of blood to fecal isolates, was 0.008. Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni accounted for 6 cases each, Campylobacter fetus for 2, and in 1 case the species diagnosis was uncertain. Seven patients were males and 8 females; median age was 42 (range 15-90) years. 11 patients had underlying disorders, including immunological, neoplastic and vascular disease. In a 67-year-old man a Starr-Edwards prosthesis of the aortic valve was probably infected by C. fetus, as recurrent bacteremia resolved following valve replacement. Eight patients had pyrexia and diarrhea, whereas 7 had pyrexia with only slight intestinal discomfort or none at all. In 4 patients the bacteremia was associated with cutaneous cellulitis or vasculitis. 14 of 15 patients survived. Campylobacter bacteremia seems to be more common in Denmark than hitherto thought.