Campylobacter Flashcards
T or F. Is the most common bacterial GI infection in developed nations.
T
How many cells are needed for infection?
Only a few hundred
What animals are the reservoirs?
Sheep, cattle, chickens, wild birds, and dogs
What are the most common sources?
- Undercooked poultry
- Unpasteurized milk
- Contaminated water
Shape?
Thin, spiral Gram Negative rods. “Gull-winged” appearance.
Oxygen requirements?
Microaerophilic
How long is the incubation period?
1 week
What other pathology can an infection mimic?
Appendicitis
Clinical presentation?
- Fever, appendicitis-like lower abdominal pain
2. Watery diarrhea that progresses to dysentery w/ blood and pus
Is the most common antecedent to what syndrome? Why does this occur?
Guillain-Barre syndrome. Cross-reactive antibodies to C. jejuni’s lipooligosaccharides and myelin (molecular mimicry).
What’s the usual course of the infection?
Self-limiting w/ resolution in 3-7 days
Diagnosis?
Culture on media containing abx preventing growth of resident bowel flora
Treatment for prolonged infections?
Erythromycin (also fluoroquinolones but resistance increasing)
What class of abx is it resistant to?
Beta-lactams
Why are C. jejuni infections self-limiting while H. pylori infections can last for decades?
Campylobacter works in lower GI tract where there’s a good mechanical clearance process (aka shitting). H. pylori makes its own suitable environment and able to establish infection for a long period of time.
