Campylobacter species

Question 1

Camplyobacter general properties

Answer 1

curved or comma shaped microaerophilic gram negative rods

most common causative agent is C. jejuni followed by C. coli

Question 2

Camplyobacter pathogenesis

Answer 2

ingested in contaminated food or water
arrive in small and large bowel–inflammatory process
rarely, enter blood

Question 3

Camplyobacter epi

Answer 3

zoontic disease transmitted to humans from animals, especially poultry
more than half of raw chicken in US stores has Camplyobacter
cases are typically sporadic and tend to peak in summer and early fall
does not make animals ill
human to human transmission is rare

Question 4

Camplyobacter history

Answer 4

not isolated until 1968

has to be grown under microaerophilic conditions on special medium

Question 5

Camplyobacter occurence

Answer 5

most common etiologic agent of diarrhea in world, far surpassing Salmonella and Shigella
more than 1 mil cases in US per year
infants through young adults affected in developed countries

Question 6

Camplyobacter clinical features

Answer 6

3-5 day incubation period
prodrome of fever, malaise, headache, then fever, ab pain, diarrhea lasting a few days-week
1/1000 develop autoimmunity to their own nerves
-can lead to paralysis that lasts for several weeks (Guillam-Barre syndrome)–require intesive care

Question 7

Camplyobacter infectious dose

Answer 7

as few as 500 organismscan cause disease, one drop of raw chicken juice is sufficient

Question 8

Camplyobacter diagnosis

Answer 8

est. by culture of stool on selective media, incubated in 5-10% O2 AT 37 OR 42 C

Question 9

Camplyobacter treatment

Answer 9

supportive therapy for all (fluids) with antimicrobial therapy for some
-erythromycin or cipro

Question 10

Camplyobacter prevention

Answer 10

pasteurization of milk, avoid undercooked meats