Campylobacter jejuni Campylobacter intestinalis What Is Campylobacter jejuni
Campylobacter jejuni Campylobacter intestinalis
What Is Campylobacter jejuni? n n n n Gram negative Curved , comma or S-Shaped* Flagellate Motile Oxidase. . + Microaerophilic Thermophilic
Who is affected? n n n All warm-blooded animals can become affected. Some animals carry the disease without exhibiting symptoms. Any person can become infected. Children under 5 yrs and young adults ages 1529 yrs are most often affected. Most deaths occur among the elderly and the immune-suppressed. Most common cause of food borne illness in the United States.
Domestic animals like cattle, chickens and dogs……source of infection for humans. n Poultry, meat and unpasteurized milk n Fecal-oral route n
What Are the Symptoms? n n n Diarrhea – Usually watery, smelly and sticky – Followed by blood and severe abdominal pain Fever Nausea and vomiting Headache Muscle pain
Are There Long-Term Effects? n Guillain-Barre Syndrome – – – n n Immune system attacks own nerves Acute neuromuscular paralysis 40% caused by C. jejuni infection Reactive Arthritis, Reiter’s Syndrome Septicemia – Leading to infection of nearly any organ, including appendix, abdominal cavity, heart, nervous system, etc.
What are the Diagnostic Tests? n n n Oxidase +, nalidixic acid----- sensitive Present in feces of infected individuals. Blood agar containing antibiotics e. g. , Skirrow’s medium is used for isolation Isolation requirements: – Special antibiotic containing media – 42℃ temperature – Microaerophilic atmosphere n 5% oxygen n 2 -10 % carbon dioxide
How is the Illness Treated? – Most cases n Most infections are usually self-limited. – > 95% of infections clear up on their own. – Affected persons should drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. – Antidiarrheal medication such as loperamide may help
How is the Illness Treated? – Severe cases n Antibiotics used in severe cases of gastroenteritis. – Macrolide antibiotics including Erythromycin are effective and may shorten course of illness. – Resistance developing to Fluoroquinolone antibiotics due to use in poultry feed.
What can be done to prevent Campylobacter infections? n Individuals – Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk or untreated surface water. – WASH HANDS!!! n after having contact with pet feces. n after using the restroom or changing a diaper.
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