Campylobacter
Laura W. Lamps, MD
Key Facts
Terminology
Most common stool isolate in United States
Clinical Issues
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Infants, children, and young adults most commonly affected
Higher incidence in HIV-positive patients
Microscopic Pathology
Commonly shows features of acute infectious-type colitis
Mild crypt distortion, crypt epithelial damage, crypt loss may occasionally occur and mimic chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease
Top Differential Diagnoses
Stool culture invaluable aid to diagnosis
 Hematoxylin & eosin shows features of acute infectious colitis in Campylobacter colitis, including cryptitis and a neutrophilic infiltrate in the lamina propria. |
 Hematoxylin & eosin shows cryptitis, a neutrophilic infiltrate in the lamina propria, and preserved crypt architecture in a case of Campylobacter colitis. |
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Gram-negative bacterium that causes gastroenteritis
Common species
C. jejuni: Most commonly associated with food-borne gastroenteritis
C.coli and C. laridis: Less common, also associated with food-borne illness
C. fetus: More often seen in immunocompromised patients and homosexual men
ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS
Infectious Agents
Common cause of diarrhea worldwide
Most common stool isolate in United States
Food- and water-borne
Undercooked poultry
Raw milk
Untreated water
Veterinary pathogen
Can be contracted from sick animals
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