What is Campylobacter?
A. Campylobacter [pronounced “kamp-e-lo-back-ter”] is a gram negative, microaerophilic bacterium and is one of the most common bacterial causes of diarrheal illness in the United States. Campylobacter jejuni, the strain associated with most reported human infections, may be present in the body without causing noticeable illness. Campylobacter organisms can be found everywhere and are commonly found in the intestinal tracts of cats, dogs, poultry, cattle, swine, rodents, monkeys, wild birds, and some humans. The bacteria pass through the body in the feces and cycle through the environment. They are also found in untreated water. [Top of Page] Q. What harm can Campylobacter bacteria cause? A. Infection caused by Campylobacter bacteria is called campylobacteriosis and is usually caused by consuming unpasteurized milk, raw or undercooked meat or poultry, or other contaminated foods and water, and contact with feces from infected animals. While the bacteria can exist in the intestinal tract
Campylobacter is a gram negative bacterial genus which is a leading cause of gastroenteritis around the world. Infection with Campylobacter bacteria is formally known as campylobacteriosis. In most cases, the infection clears up on its own within a few days without any complications, but it can lead to serious complications or health problems in some patients. Many people have been infected with bacteria from this genus at some point in their lives, thanks to the ubiquity of Campylobacter in the world. Two particular species have been fingered as frequent culprits behind cases of gastroenteritis: Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni. In both cases, the bacteria is normally found in fecal material, and it is ingested through poorly-sanitized water, improperly handled food, and contaminated meat. Symptoms of campylobacteriosis emerge within one to three days of infection in most cases. Diarrhea is the most common symptom of Campylobacter infection, often associated with vomiting,
Campylobacter is a bacterium that can cause a gastrointestinal infection known as campylobacteriosis. Usually campylobacteriosis is referred to as campylobacter. People are most often infected by eating or drinking contaminated food, water or unpasteurized milk. Most people infected with campylobacter are ill for three to five days, but in about 20 percent of the cases, symptoms may persist for two weeks or longer. Sometimes people are ill enough to behospitalized.
