Microbiologic approaches for studying Campylobacter species in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome

Campylobacter jejuni is now considered to be the most common cause of bacterial diarrheal disease in the United States. Sufficient evidence exists to support the hypothesis that C. jejuni induces Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS); however, many questions about the biology of the organism and host factors need to be answered. In order to study the role of C. jejuni and other Campylobacter species as a cause of GBS, isolates from patients with different forms of GBS and appropriate control populations must be obtained. To continue to study this association, research teams must have laboratory support for isolating and characterizing Campylobacter strains. This review summarizes current knowledge about the laboratory aspects of Campylobacter infection that may be pertinent to studies on GBS.