Campylobacter species

Motile, comma-shaped, gram-negative bacilli.

The gastrointestinal tracts of domestic and wild birds and animals are reservoirs. Incubation period is typically 2-5 days.

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

Diarrheal illness

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.

CDC. Campylobacter (Campylobacteriosis). December 23, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/technical.html