Introduction

Classification

Taxonomy

• Genus: Campylobacter.
• Family: Spirillaceae.
• Used to be placed in the genusVibrio

Etymology

• Gk:kampulos- curved;bacter- rod.

Active Forms

Clinical Effects

Epidemiology

Habitat

• Found in animals and their products:
  • Milk.
  • Poultry.
  • Feces of dogs and cats.

Lifecycle

• Multiplies in the intestinal tract of the host, and invades epithelial cells.
• TransfersR. plasmids, which most commmonly carry tetracycline-resistant genes.

Transmission

• Feco-oral route.
• C. Jejuniinfection is an important zoonosis.
• Human beings and other susceptible species obtain infection from animal sources.
• Infection of human beings occurs following ingestion of an animal product originally contaminated with infected feces.
• Most human infections occur following consumption of poorly cooked meat and unpasteurized milk.
• Handling of animals (especially dogs and cats) may also be a source of human infection.
• Venereal forC. fetussubspeciesvenerealis.

Pathological effects

• Circulating antibodies develop during enteritis, but may not be protective.
• Local antibody immune response results in clearance of uterine infections.
• Sheep and goats are immune following abortion.

• Produce an adhesion   →   adhere to cells of intestinal or reproductive tract.
• Important zoonosis.
• Causes:
  • Diarrhea.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Fever.
  • Sometimes vomiting in human beings.
• Toxin production varies withCampylobacterspecies.
• diseases:
  • Enteritis in many species, including horses.
  • Swine proliferative enteritis.
  • Abortion in sheep and cattle.
  • Hepatitis in poultry.

Other Host Effects

• Normal intestinal flora in many species, especially poultry, cattle, pigs, dogs and cats.
• Reproductive tract species:
  • C. fetussubspeciesvenerealisis carried in preputial crypts and vagina, especially cattle.
  • C. fetussubspeciesfetuscarried in intestinal tract of carrier sheep and cattle.
• C. jejunifrequently causes abortion in sheep and occasionally cattle.

Control

Control via animal

• Meticulous hygiene and cleaning to prevent spread.

Control via chemotherapies

• Tetracycline   Therapeutics: tetracyclines  and the combination of penicillin   Penicillin G  and streptomycin are used in sheep.

R. plasmidsencoding resistance to tetracycline occur.

Control via environment

• Control in veterinary hospitals and kennels is carried out by strict adherence to hygiene procedures including:
  • Hand-washing.
  • Cleaning and disinfection of equipment.
  • Human infections may be prevented by hygienic practices and thorough cooking of food.

Diagnosis

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Blunden A S, Smith K C, Neal H N & Dugdale D J (2006) Enteritis associated with infection by Campylobacter jejuni in two Thoroughbred foals. Equine Vet Educ 18 (1), 8-10.
• Johnson P J & Goetz T E (1993) Granulomatous enteritis and Campylobacter bacteremia in a horse. JAVMA 203 (7), 1039-1042 PubMed.
• Browning G F, Chalmers R M, Snodgrass D R et al (1991) The prevalence of enteric pathogens in diarrheic Thoroughbred foals in Britain and Ireland. Equine Vet J 26 (6), 405-409 PubMed.