Campylobacter causes bacterial illness with diarrhea and systemic symptoms. 

Campylobacter is a common foodborne illness-causing bacteria genus. 

The genus campylobacter consists of several species, but C. jejuni is the most common cause of human infections. 

Campylobacter is common in animal intestines with poultry farm is a major source found in raw and undercooked meat.
Homosexual males at risk for enterocolitis from Campylobacter-like organisms such as Helicobacter cinaedi and Helicobacter fennelliae. 

Campylobacter infections produce inflammatory diarrhea or dysentery syndrome. Bacteria transmitted to humans through contaminated food, water, and close contact with infected animals or people. 

Symptoms appear 2 to 5 days after exposure and stays for a week. It is diagnosed with stool culture test. 

Polymerase chain reaction tests and enzyme immunoassays are also used for diagnosis purposes. 

In USA 1.5 million cases of campylobacter infections occur every year. 

Campylobacter infections resolve on their own with low mortality rate. Summer months see common outbreaks associated with contaminated food or water. 

It is commonly seen in males as compared to females. Campylobacter infections occur in all age groups.  

Campylobacter bacteria in intestines cause campylobacteriosis with inflammation and intestinal damage. 

Campylobacter spreads through fecal-oral, sexual contact, milk, poultry, and water. 

Campylobacter spread to humans through infected animals and contaminated food from insufficiently cooked products. 

Campylobacter strains in patients with bloody diarrhea can produce cytotoxin. In rare cases, infection may occur in hemolytic-uremic syndrome. 

Campylobacter bacteria may produce cytolethal distending toxin, which blocks cells in G2 stage before mitosis. 

The causes of campylobacter are: 

• Animal Hosts 
• Environmental Sources 
• Foodborne Transmission 
• Direct Contact 
• Person-to-Person Transmission 
• Virulence Factors 
• Host Factors 

Infants and young children face increased risk of severe dehydration and complications from diarrhea. 

Mild to moderate sickness usually resolves in 1 week positively. Severe symptoms increase risk of complications and longer illness duration. 

Campylobacter infection can lead to a serious neurological complication with prognosis based on treatment effectiveness. 

Campylobacter resistant to antibiotics like fluoroquinolones and macrolides can complicate treatment and prolong illness. 

Detailed information including Demographics and exposure history of patient should be gathered. 

• Abdominal Examination 
• Rectal Examination 
• Skin Examination 
• Neurological Examination 

Gastrointestinal Symptoms are: 

Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Fever, Nausea and Vomiting 

Systemic symptoms are: 

Headache, muscle pain, and malaise 

Main treatment for Campylobacter infections is fluid and electrolyte replacement. 

Use oral solutions for rehydration and IV fluids as backup in case rehydration fails. 

Children with C jejuni dysentery benefit from early erythromycin treatment. Over-the-counter medications are used to manage fever and pain. 

Loperamide is avoided because it prolongs the infection to slow the elimination of the bacteria. 

Antibiotics are not used in mild cases as campylobacter infections are self-limiting. 

Patients with high fever and severe diarrhea have symptoms for more than a week. 

If GBS develops, it requires immediate medical attention and may involve treatments with intravenous immunoglobulins. 

Infectious Disease

Poultry farm water must be clean and uncontaminated. Use clean feed and proper storage to prevent bacterial exposure. 

Regular thorough cleaning disinfectant to prevent cross-contamination. 

Use separate tools for raw meat, clean hands and surfaces well after handling poultry. 

Store raw poultry and meats in sealed containers to prevent contamination. 

Organize Public health campaigns to educate about safe food handling, cooking, and storage practices. 

Proper awareness about campylobacter should be provided and its related causes with management strategies. 

Infectious Disease

Azithromycin: 

It binds to 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible microorganisms and blocks dissociation of peptidyl tRNA. 

Erythromycin: 

It inhibits bacterial growth of peptidyl t-RNA from ribosomes to cause RNA-dependent protein synthesis. 

Gentamicin: 

It interferes with bacterial protein synthesis that binding to 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits. 

Meropenem: 

It inhibits cell-wall synthesis that binds penicillin-binding proteins. 

Ampicillin: 

It interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis during active replication to cause bactericidal activity. 

Ciprofloxacin: 

It targets bacterial topoisomerases II and IV and causes sudden cessation of DNA replication.  

Amoxicillin: 

It binds penicillin-binding proteins in bacterial cell walls. 

Infectious Disease

Nasogastric tube placement is required when oral intake is insufficient. 

Endoscopic procedures are performed due to suspected gastrointestinal bleeding and obstruction. 

Infectious Disease

In initial treatment phase evaluation of medical history, physical examination and diagnostic test to confirm diagnosis. 

Pharmacologic therapy is effective in the treatment phase as it includes use of antibiotic therapy. 

In supportive care and management phase, patients should receive required attention such as lifestyle modification and intervention therapies. 

The regular follow-up visits with the physician are scheduled to check the improvement of patients along with treatment response.