*(XIII)Spiral bacteria (1)* Campylobacter jejuni

Question 1

Characterize (3) : C. jejuni

Answer 1

(1) Thermophilic
(2) Gram (-) curved rod
(3) (+) Oxidase

Question 2

C.jejuni and C.coli infection

Found in: […]

Transmission: […]

Clinical Presentation:
[…]

Treatment:
[…]

Answer 2

C.jejuni and C.coli infection

Found in: Animals (esp birds/chickens)

Transmission: Faecal-oral

Clinical Presentation:
MORE AGGRESSIVE than S. typhimurim, S. Enteritidis
- severe abdominal pain (differentials for appendicitis), diarrhea, fever
- post-infectious complications: reactive arthritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, molecular mimicry

Treatment:
- Usually self-limiting
- ORS for diarrhea
- for severe disease: erythromycin/ciprofloxacin

Important cause of acute gastroenteritis (traveller’s diarrhea in SE asia)

Question 3

Campylobacter spp. and Helicobacter spp. culture requires […]

Answer 3

Campylobacter spp. and Helicobacter spp. culture requires selective media with antibiotic “cocktails” (microaerophilic - require little free oxygen)

antibiotic cocktail to supress colonic flora

Question 4

How to diagnose Campylobacter spp infections?

[…]

Answer 4

How to diagnose Campylobacter spp infections?

Stool culture with selective media

Serology not widely available but can be used for patient whose initial diarrhea was not investigated but eventually presents with possible complications