Epidemiology of Campylobacter infections

Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter coli organisms may exist as commensals in the intestinal tracts of a wide variety of wild and domestic animals. Whether or not Campylobacters are pathogenic in their animal hosts. That some of the organisms associated with animals cause infection and disease in humans is known from data obtained in a few outbreaks in which an animal or animal product was ultimately identified as a source. The sources of Campylobacter organisms found in water are not known but may be due to fecal contamination by wild or domestic animals. Studies of mud from contaminated rivers in Southampton failed to show Campylobacters. However, isolations from both mud and sewage sludge have been made in the US Campylobacter enteritis has been reported in children and young adults who before their illnesses had close contact with infected puppies. Campylobacter enteritis is sometimes associated with bacteremia.