Campylobacter jejuni 

• Characteristics
  • Gram negative corkscrew-shaped rod
    • First test in algorithm, narrows scope of bacteria
    • Possesses filaments with a corkscrew-appearance
  • Oxidase +
    • All gram negative curved rods are oxidase positive 
  • Grows at 42ºC
    • Specific to Campylobacter jejuni 
• Transmission
  • Fecal-oral (contaminated food/water)
    • ingestion of undercooked poultry or meat, unpasteurized milk
  • Contact with infected animals (cows, dogs, sheep, chickens) is also a risk factor
• Presentation
  • Major cause of bloody diarrhea, especially in children
    • Most common cause of bacterial diarrhea in the US
    • Initially begins as watery diarrhea, and then progresses to bloody diarrhea
    • Invasion of GI mucosa by bacteria leads to inflammation and bleeding
    • May also present with abdominal cramps
  • Often complicated by
    • Guillain-Barre syndrome
      • Acute polyneuropathy with ascending muscle weakness
      • Loss of deep tendon reflexes
      • Paralysis of respiratory muscles may be fatal
    • Reactive arthritis
      • Unilateral arthritis of the large joints (e.g. knee).
      • Associated with conjunctivitis and urethritis
• Diagnosis 
  • Stool culture
    • gold standard for diagnosis
• Treatment
  • Supportive care (intravenous hydration and electrolyte repletion) for all patients
  • Macrolides (erythromycin/azithromycin) for severe infections