information about an organism causing diarrhea.

1. Campylobacter
Greek word: Curved rods
Gram Negative 0.2-0.5microns thick
0.5-5 micro meters long
Motile
Non-sporing
Comma shaped
Polar flagella

2. Campylobacter species
Veterinary pathogens
C.coli
C.jejuni
C.lari
Extra intestinal pathogens
C.fetus
Abscesses causing pathogens
C.sputorum
C.conciscus

3. Survival of Campylobacter
 They are Microaerophilic.
 Can survive in 5% oxygen.
 They are thermophilic.
 Can take a 450c .

4. Infections by Campylobacter
In humans
 Dehydration
 Asymptomatic Diarrhea
 Bacteraemia
 Sepsis
 Meningitis
Veterinary
 Abortion in cattle.

5. Sources of infection
 Its a zoonotic infection meaning it spreads by the
animal to humans.
 It is present in animal and birds’ intestinal micro
flora.
 Found in water.
 It is self limited and organisms are shed after the
patients recovery by faeco-oral route.

6. Lab diagnosis
 Isolation of the pathogens from faeces.
 Direct microscopy, phase contrast/dark
field/motility.
 Gram staining.
 Faecal and rectal swabs plated on the selective
media.
 Campylobacter survive in Cairy-Blair medium for
1-2weeks for 40c .

7. Medically important species
 Campylobacter jejuni is a harmful pathogen.
 Clinical disease common in children.
 Stools of the patient contain leucocytes and
blood.
 Incubation period-1-7days.
 Illness starts with fever, abdominal pain, and
watery diarrhoea.
 Invasive pathogen may involve Mesenteric lymph
nodes and cause bacteraemia.

8. Preventive measures.
 Cleanliness and hygiene is the most important
facto for preventive any disease.
 The formite should be cleaned.
 The faeco-oral secretion of the patient should be
disposed properly to avoid an epidemic.
 In hospitals special care should be taken to avoid
any contamination.