Campylobacter Species

Question 1

Characteristics of Campylobacter Species

Answer 1

Gram negative
Slender, comma (curved)-shaped rods in gull winged shapes and spiral form
Motile by polar flagellum
Commensals of the intestinal tract and the reproductive tract
Non fermentation, oxidase positive
Grow on MacConkey Agar

Question 2

True or False: Campylobacter are Microaerophillic?

Answer 2

An atmosphere of increase carbon dioxide and decrease oxygen enhances growth

Question 3

Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus

Answer 3

Causes: Ovine Epizootic abortion

Question 4

Ovine Epizootic Abortion

Answer 4

Found: Faeces of cattle and sheep
Transmission: Focal-oral
Pathogenesis: Bacteremia, Necrotic placentitis, Late-term abortion, or stillborn lambs
Pathology: Focal necrosis in liver if aborted fetus
Immunity: Humoral Immunity
Immunization: Bacterins serotypes 1 and 5

Question 5

Campylobactor fetus subsp. veneralis

Answer 5

Causes Epizootic bovine infertility; occasional abortions

Question 6

Epizootic Bovine Infertility

Answer 6

Disease is charactereized by temporary infertility associated with infections of the mucosa of the glans penis, prepuce and genital tract of the cow.
Transmission: Veneral transmission from bull to cow (asymptomatic infection)
Short term carriers: less than 6 years
Long term carriers: greater than 6 years

Question 7

Diagnosis of Epizootic Bovine Infertility

Answer 7

PCR: detects c. fetus subsp. venerealis in semen
Vaginal mucus agglutination test (Detects past and presnt infection)
ELISA test (detects Ig A antibodies)
Immunization: Inactivated Vaccine

Question 8

Campylobacter jejuni

Answer 8

Causes: Both Human an Domestic Animal Intestinal Campylobacteriosis

• Abortion in sheep
• Enteritis in dogs

Question 9

Human and Animal Intestinal Campylobacterioses

Answer 9

Habitat: Intestinal Commensal
Enteritis on small and large intestine 
Sporadic abortion 
Pathogenesis: Diarrhea and mucohemorrhagic enterocolitis in dogs, cats, ruminats, etc 
affects both small and large intestines

Question 10

Camoylobacter Jejuni of Virulence Factors

Answer 10

Enterotoxin - activates adenylate cyclase; increases intracellular cAMP, fluid and electrolyte loss
Cytotoxin - tissue destruction and abscess production

Question 11

Avian Vibrionic Hepatitis

Answer 11

Bacteriology: Camoylobacter Jejuni 
Host: Chickens and Turkeys 
Transmission: Fecal-Oral 
Clinical Findings: 
      - Most severe in checks and poultry 
      - Hemorrhagic enteritis 
      - Hepatic enteritis 
      - Mortality is variable

Question 12

Human Foodborne Enteritis

Answer 12

Bacteriology: Camoylobacter Jejuni 
Source: Undercooked poultry, pork, shellfish 
Clinical Findings: 
- High fever 
- Abdominal cramps 
- Gullain-Barre Syndrome

Question 13

Characteristics of Taylorella equigenitalis

Answer 13

Short, coccobacilli, gram negative, non-motile
Positive Rxns of catalase and oxidase
Microarophilic and capnophilic
Grows on chocolate agar

Question 14

Taylorella equigenitalis

Answer 14

Causes: Contagious Equine Metritis

Question 15

Contagious Equine Metritis

Answer 15

Reproductive tract disease of males
Transmission: Veneral transmission, Inapparent carriers, latrogenic transmission
Pathogenesis: (Localized infection)
- Vaginitis, cervicitis, endrometritis, purulent discharges, abortion

Question 16

Treatment of Contagious Equine Metritis

Answer 16

Detection of antibodies using CFT, ELISA, or agglutination test
Cleaning of the clitoral region
Certification: 3 successful negative cultures