Campylobacter Jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is a rod shaped, curved, gram-negative, motile, thermophilic and microaerophilic bacterium. It survives in very low oxygen conditions (5 percent) and can be killed by elevating the oxygen amount. The intestines of birds are the best harboring sites for this bacterium. C. jejuni is responsible for causing gastrointestinal infections in humans, animals and birds. In fact, it is a major causal organism for food borne diseases and/or food poisoning in humans.

The term Campylobacter refers to the twisted bacteria. Majority of the species belonging to this genus, especially C. jejuni, C. coli and C. fetus are capable of causing various diseases. The species C. fetus causes enteritis and abortions in cattle and sheep. Campylobacter jejuni is usually found in animal feces. It can be isolated from flies, birds, poultry and cattle. At times, it is present in stagnant water sources like ponds and lakes.

An infection caused by Campylobacter jejuni are referred to as campylobacteriosis, campylobacter enteritis or simply gastroenteritis. It is more common among children below 5 years of age and young adults (15-29 years old). Transmission of C. jejuni takes place through the consumption of raw meat, contaminated foods and water. It can also be spread from one infected person to another through the direct skin contacts.

Campylobacter Jejuni Infections: Symptoms and Treatment

The signs and symptoms of campylobacter infections are observed 2-5 days after the ingestion of contaminated food and/or water. The course of illness may last for 8-10 days. Though the individual infected with this bacterium become very weak, the life threatening symptoms are rare. The most commonly manifested symptom of C. jejuni infections is diarrhea, which can be watery or sticky.

In severe Campylobacter jejuni infections, blood and white cells are usually present in the stools. Other symptoms of campylobacteriosis include headache, nausea, dizziness, stomach cramps, muscle pain and fever. C. jejuni infections are diagnosed by conducting stool analysis. The stool of an infected person contains the bacterium in large numbers. Hence, C. jejuni can be identified by culturing and examining the stool under a microscope.

Healthy individuals with C. jejuni infections may recover on their own without therapeutic interventions. For managing and shortening the duration of the symptoms, antibiotics can be administered under medical supervision. Campylobacter infections can cause complications among people with a compromised immune system or those with other underlying health conditions. In such cases, the physician may prescribe appropriate antibiotic medications for the treatment of C. jejuni infections.

While speaking about the long-term consequences of campylobacter infections, the complications include arthritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. In the latter case, the bacterium triggers the body's own immune system to attack certain nerves, resulting in paralysis of the affected body portion. About one in every C. jejuni infections cause Guillain-Barré syndrome.

On a general note, it is advisable to drink plenty of water and fruit juices as long as diarrhea lasts. Otherwise, excess fluid loss from the body may result in dehydration and increased weakness. Some safety tips to prevent C. jejuni infections are personal hygiene, safe handling of pet feces, washing hands before and after handling a raw meat, proper cooking of the poultry products before consumption, avoiding consumption of unpasteurized milk and contaminated water.