Equis ISSN 2398-2977
Campylobacter spp
Contributor(s): Susan Dawson, Richard Walker
Introduction
Classification
Taxonomy
- Genus: Campylobacter.
- Family: Spirillaceae.
- Used to be placed in the genusVibrio
Etymology
- Gk:kampulos- curved;bacter- rod.
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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
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
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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.