Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni, ETEC, and the Rotavirus are the three most common causes of diarrhea in the world

1. Morphology and Identification

Gram (-) rods with comma, S or "gull-wing" shapes with a single polar flagellum.

2. The culture characteristics are most important.

Incubation atmosphere ; reduced O2 (5%) with added CO2 (10%).

Incubation should be at 42-43 ℃ to prohibit other bacterial growth

Selective media : Skirrow's medium with vancomycin, polymyxin B, and trimethoprim

3. Pathogenesis and Clinical Findings

• Acquired by oral route (from food, drink, contact with infected animals, or animal products)
• Infective dose : 10⁴ organisms
• Multiply in small intestine, invade the epithelium, produce inflammation that result in the appearance of red and white blood cells in the stools
• Begin with a prodrome of fever and headache, followed after half a day by abdominal cramps and profuse diarrhea that may be grossly bloody
• Self-limited (5-8 days)

Category: Microbiology Notes