Campylobacter infections

[exinilu]

Several species of the gram-negative bacteriaCampylobacter (most commonly Campylobacter jejuni) can infect the digestive tract, often causing diarrhea.

People can be infected when they consume contaminated food or drink or have contact with infected people or animals.
These infections cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
Identifying the bacteria in a stool sample confirms the diagnosis.
For some people, replacing lost fluids is all that is needed, but if symptoms are severe, antibiotics are also needed.

(See also Overview of Bacteria.)
Campylobacter bacteria normally inhabit the digestive tract of many farm animals (including cattle, sheep, pigs, and fowl). The feces of these animals may contaminate water in lakes and streams. Meat (usually poultry) and unpasteurized milk may also be contaminated. People may be infected in several ways:

Eating or drinking contaminated (untreated) water, unpasteurized milk, undercooked meat (usually poultry), or food prepared on kitchen surfaces touched by contaminated meat
Contact with contaminated food or water (for example, when handling contaminated food)
Contact with an infected person (particularly oral-anal sexual contact)
Contact with an infected animal

Campylobacter bacteria, usually Campylobacter jejuni, cause inflammation of the colon (colitis) that results in fever and diarrhea. These bacteria are a common cause of infectious diarrhea in the United States and among people who travel to countries where food or water may be contaminated.
Campylobacter jejuni affects healthy and ill people and causes diarrhea in all age groups. It seems to mostly affect children 1 to 5 years of age.