Pathogens
Campylobacter species

Campylobacter species

Susceptibilities

General Information

Motile, comma-shaped, Gram-negative bacillus

Common species: C. coli, C. jejuni, C. fetus, C. upsaliensis

The gastrointestinal tracts of domestic and wild birds and animals are reservoirs.

Transmission occurs by ingestion of contaminated food or water or by direct contact with fecal material from infected animals or people.

Incubation period is typically 3 days with a range of 1-7 days.

Diarrheal illness (often bloody) that is typically self-limiting.

Bacteremia can rarely occur, especially in patients at extremes of age.

Immunoreactive complications can occur:

  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome
  • Reactive arthritis
  • Myocarditis
  • Pericarditis
  • Erythema nodosum during convalescence

Treatment can shorten the duration of illness and excretion of susceptible organisms and prevent relapse when given early in gastrointestinal tract infection.