Campylobacter jejuni

• What is Campylobacter jejuni the most common cause of in the US?


  • gastroenteritis
• How can Campylobacter jejuni be characterized?


  • Gram-negative
  • slightly curved
  • oxidase positive
  • motile
• How does Campylobacter jejuni differ from Vibrio?


  • microaerophilic (lower oxygen than normal)
  • capneic (more CO2)
• What kind of disease is Campylobacter jejuni?


  • Zoonic
  • many animals serve as reservoirs for bacteria- poultry, dogs, pigs, cattle
• How are humans infected by Campylobacter jejuni?


  • consuming contaminated food, milk, or water
  • poultry is the most common source of infection
• What does Campylobacter possess?


  • adhesions (sticking to surface of intestinal lining)
  • cytotoxins (kills cells)
  • endotoxins (diarrhea)
• Where does the bacteria appear to colonize and invade and what does that produce?


  • jejunum, ileum, and colon producing bloody lesions
• What does the infection produce?


  • self-limiting bloody and frequent diarrhea
• How long may an infection last?


  • 7-10 days
• How can the spread of the bacteria be reduced?


  • Proper food handling and preparation