Unit 3: Campylobacter

Question 1

Generally, what diseases do the species in the genus Campylobacter cause?

Answer 1

abortion and infertility in cattle and sheep, and enteritis in humans and possible swine and dogs

Question 2

What is the morphology of the genus Campylobacter?

Answer 2

gram-negative, short, curved, rigid rods arranged singly or in spiral forms or S forms. Motile by a single polar flagellum

Question 3

Describe the growth conditions of the genus Campylobacter.

Answer 3

microaerophilic to anaerobic. CO2 is required by most. Slow growing. Antibiotics are frequently added to the media to facilitate isolation

Question 4

What is the habitat of Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis?

Answer 4

it is an obligate parasite of the genitalia of male and female cattle

Question 5

What disease does Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis cause?

Answer 5

early embryonic death and occasionally later term abortion in cattle

Question 6

How is Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis transmitted?

Answer 6

venereally or by AI

Question 7

What is the pathogenesis of a Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis infection?

Answer 7

It localizes in the anterior vagina and cervix until progestational phase and then invades the uterus and oviducts.

Question 8

What specifically does Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis infection cause?

Answer 8

moderate endometritis and salpingitis which causes a failure of implantation or early abortion

Question 9

How do cows become fertile again after a Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis infection?

Answer 9

they eliminate the organism from the uterus and oviducts in 2-5 months

Question 10

Where does the Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis bacteria localize in bulls?

Answer 10

in the epithelia of the prepuce and penis without lesions

Question 11

Is there any self immunity against Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis?

Answer 11

yes - IgA immobilizes the organism and prevents higher penetration of the reproductive tract and IgG helps clear the organism from the uterus

Question 12

How is immunity to Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis acquired?

Answer 12

by being infected from the disease and surviving the infection

Question 13

Is there a bacterin for Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis?

Answer 13

yes, they are successful and widely used

Question 14

How do you diagnose against a Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis infection?

Answer 14

clinical signs, culture, direct exam of fetal membranes, and by detecting antibody

Question 15

What does Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus cause?

Answer 15

abortion in sheep and occasionally cattle

Question 16

What is the natural habitat of Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus?

Answer 16

intestinal tract of sheep and cattle

Question 17

How is Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus transmitted?

Answer 17

via ingestion

Question 18

What specifically does Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus cause?

Answer 18

bacteremia with localization in the placentomes leading to a placentitis and late term abortion

Question 19

How is immunity developed against Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus developed and how long are they immune?

Answer 19

Ewes that recover completely are immune and stay immune for at least a year

Question 20

Are there bacterins for Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus?

Answer 20

yes - for both pregnant and nonpregnant ewes

Question 21

How is a Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus infection diagnosed?

Answer 21

impression smears of fresh fetal cotyledons and stomach contants

Question 22

How is infection from Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus treated?

Answer 22

antibiotics but it is best to try controlling with immunization

Question 23

What does Campylobacter jejuni cause?

Answer 23

enteritis in humans and abortion in sheep (some reports in young puppies and kittens)

Question 24

What is the biggest source of infection of Campylobacter jejuni in humans?

Answer 24

from undercooked poultry or careless handling of poultry

Question 25

What syndrome is Campylobacter jejuni linked to the development of?

Answer 25

Guillain-Barre syndrome

Question 26

What is the natural habitat of Campylobacter jejuni?

Answer 26

the intestinal tract of a wide variety of wild and domestic animals including dogs, cats, cattle, ferrets, and poultry

Question 27

True or False: Campylobacter jejuni is a much more common cause of abortion in small ruminants than Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus.

Answer 27

true`

Question 28

What can Campylobacter jejuni cause in domestic ferrets?

Answer 28

abortion and enteritis

Question 29

What is the pathogenesis of Campylobacter jejuni infection in humans?

Answer 29

Following infection, the organism invades the intestinal mucosa leading to ulceration of the mucosal surface, formation of crypt abscesses, and hemorrhagic necrosis of the ileum and jejunum. Bloody diarrhea is observed in a high proportion of cases. The organism may invade theregional lymph nodes and cause a disseminated infection, Some strains can cause a watery diarrhea (these strains produce an enterotoxin similar cholera toxin)

Question 30

What is clinical disease in humans with a Campylobacter jejuni infection characterized by?

Answer 30

acute enteritis lasting 1 day to 1 week or longer, high fever, abdominal cramps, and watery diarrhea
Fatality is high when bacteremia occurs

Question 31

What is Guillain-Barre syndrome?

Answer 31

A flaccid paralysis that can occur following infection with a variety of agents including viruses. The syndrome often occurs a week or so following clinical infection - weakness evolves over a period of several days or more, paraylisis becomes severe enough that 20% require mechanical ventilation

Question 32

What is the natural habitat of Campylobacter coli?

Answer 32

intestinal tracts of a variety of animal species

Question 33

What disease can Campylobacter coli produce?

Answer 33

enteric disease similar to that observed with Campylobacter jejuni

Question 34

What is most likely the source of Campylobacter coli infections in humans?

Answer 34

the intestinal tracts of pigs