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Campylobacter bacteraemia in England and Wales, 1981-91
M B Skirrow1, D M Jones, E Sutcliffe
1Public Health Laboratory, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester.
Epidemiology and Infection
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Campylobacter bacteraemia is rare, particularly in young children. Older adults and males are more susceptible, with specific strains indicating increased invasiveness.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Campylobacter infections are a common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis.
- Bacteraemia, or bloodstream infection, is a serious complication of Campylobacter enteritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and characteristics of Campylobacter bacteraemia in England and Wales.
- To identify risk factors and common species associated with Campylobacter bacteraemia.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of surveillance data for Campylobacter bacteraemia cases over 11 years.
- Microbiological identification of bacterial isolates to species and serogroup level.
- Comparison of patient demographics and clinical features between different Campylobacter species.
Main Results:
- 394 cases of Campylobacter bacteraemia were detected, with an average incidence of 1.5 per 1000 intestinal infections.
- Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli accounted for 89% of isolates; C. fetus was the most common other species.
- C. jejuni/C. coli bacteraemia primarily occurred in patients with acute enteritis, while C. fetus bacteraemia was associated with older males and conditions like endovascular pathology.
Conclusions:
- Campylobacter bacteraemia incidence varies significantly with age, being highest in the elderly.
- Different Campylobacter species have distinct clinical presentations and patient demographics.
- Certain C. jejuni serogroups may possess enhanced invasiveness, warranting further investigation.