Campylobacter and Helicobacter Flashcards
Campylobacter
-gram negative
-curved, comma or seagull shaped
-microaerophilic
-needs nutritious media (blood containing)
-some grow at elevated temp= 42 degrees
-biocontainment level 2
Helicobacter characteristics
-gram negative
-long spiral shaped corkscrew shape (tight coils)
-microaerophilic
-culture independent methods often used (serology, PCR used instead)
-biocontainment level 2
Habitat and host
-both genera animal associated
-Campylobacter: intestinal tract of birds and mammals, reproductive mucosa and gall bladder of cattle
-Helicobacter: stomach and GI tracts of mammals and birds
*about 50% of us have some H. pylori in our stomachs
Helicobacter spp virulence factors
little known
Campylobacter jejuni virulence factors
- flagella- motility
- Outer membrane adhesion proteins= adhesion
- Superoxide dismutase and catalase= intracellular survival
- Cytolethal-distending toxin= cell death
C. fetus sussp venerealis
-causes Vibrosis
-typically occurs in cattle exposed for first time
-organism ascends from vagina to cause intrauterine infection
-Sexually transmitted transmission (natural or AI)
-vaccinations play role
Presentations of C. fetus subsp venerealis
-Presentations:
1. silent carrier
2.temporary infertility
3. early embryonic death
4. abortions (rarely exceeds 10%)
**cows will naturally clear infection; bulls silent carriers
C. fetus subsp fetus
-abortion in final 6wks of pregnancy in ewes (and can see pyrexia and vaginal discharge) and abortion in cattle
-transmitted through ingestion and travels to gallbladder and pregnant uterus
**multifocal hepatic necrosis
-highly contagious within herd/flock
-incubation 7-25days
-control abortion outbreaks with antimicrobials
-vaccinations play a role
Human infections with C. fetus subsp fetus
-infections have been reported
-presents as septic abortions, proctitis and proctocolitis, and sepsis
-related to contact with animals and possibly eating raw food
C. jejuni subsp jejuni
-Common cause of gastroenteritis; typically self limiting disease (5-10days)
-infection by ingestion (unpasteurized dairy, contaminated water, poultry products)
-very low infectious dose (<500organisms)= cross contamination in kitchen (especially chicken!)
-infection of food by fecal contamination
Guilain-Barre Syndrome
-rare sequelae following campylobacteriosis from C. jejuni supsp jejuni
-an acute demyelinating disease of the peripheral nerves= weakness and tingling in extremities, can become systemic (paralysis)
-no known cure but most recover
-20-40% of people with GBS were infected with Campy in last 3 weeks
-no correlation between infection, severity and likelihood of developing GBS
Campylobacter species in dogs and cats
Take positive fecal cultures with grain of salt!! Because they are commonly found in healthy animals
-association with disease not clear
-commonly C. jejuni, coli, or upsaliensis
-may act as household reservoir
May be linked with disease in animals under 6mths
-Often self-limiting
-can use antimicrobials if high fever, blood diarrhea
Helicobacter spp. and gastric ulcers
-H. pylori linked with gastric ulcers (grew in broth culture, and completed Koch postulates on himself)
-not just stress which was presumed for long time because thought bacteria could not be living in stomach acid
**Helicobacter decreases stomach acidity
Helicobacter spp in animals
-associated with gastritis in host animals
-found in healthy animals, and may have some link to disease but not well studied
-clinical signs in dogs (that may be associated): vomiting and weight loss
Sample collection
1.Campy Enteric disease= feces or rectal swabs
- Campy Reproductive disease= vaginal mucous, preputial washings, abortuses (Stomach contents and placenta)
- Helicobacter- biopsies of affected tissues
