Campylobacter Infections
Several species of the gram-negative bacilli Campylobacter can infect the digestive tract and rarely other organs.
Campylobacter normally inhabits the digestive tract of many domestic animals and fowl. Water may become contaminated from the feces of infected animals. The most common form of Campylobacter infection is gastroenteritis (see Section 9, Chapter 122), which may be acquired by drinking contaminated water, eating undercooked poultry or meat, or having contact with infected animals.
Campylobacter is also a common cause of diarrhea among people who travel to developing countries. Very rarely, Campylobacter causes a bloodstream infection (bacteremia), most often in people with an existing disease such as diabetes or cancer. Bacteria in the bloodstream may lead to infections in many different organs.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Campylobacter gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramps, which may be severe. The diarrhea may be bloody, and a fever ranging from 100 to 104° F may develop.
A fever that comes and goes may be the only symptom of a Campylobacter infection outside the digestive tract. Additional symptoms of a bodywide (systemic) Campylobacter infection may include a joint that becomes painful, red, and swollen; abdominal pain; and enlargement of the liver or spleen. Rarely, the infection involves the heart valves (endocarditis) or the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Diagnosis and Treatment
The diagnosis of Campylobacter gastroenteritis can be made by finding the organism in a culture of stool. This is not always done, however, because infectious diarrhea is usually effectively treated without knowing which bacteria caused it. Doctors perform a blood culture if they suspect a bloodstream infection.
Many people get better in a week or so without specific treatment, although some people require extra fluids intravenously or by mouth. Some people, especially those with bloodstream infections, require antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or azithromycin.
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