Medical Care

Replacement of fluids and electrolytes is the mainstay of therapy in patients with Campylobacter infections. Rehydration is done with oral glucose-electrolyte solutions. Intravenous fluids are used if oral rehydration fails.

The use of antibiotics to treat uncomplicated Campylobacter infections is controversial, with studies showing that erythromycin rapidly eliminated Campylobacter organisms from the stool without affecting the duration of illness. Studies in children with C jejuni dysentery have shown benefit from early treatment with erythromycin. Antibiotics may be indicated if any of the following occur:

High fever
Bloody diarrhea
Excessive bowel movements (ie, >8 stools per day)
Worsening symptoms
Failure of symptoms to improve
Persistence of symptoms for longer than 1 week
Pregnancy
HIV infection and other immunocompromised states
Avoid antimotility agents because they prolong the duration of symptoms and have been associated with fatalities.
Individuals with hypogammaglobulinemia who have recurrent C jejuni bacteremia may require fresh frozen plasma with antibiotics.
Patients with severe dysentery or a relapsing course may require hospitalization.
Patients with endovascular C fetus infections require at least 4 weeks of treatment; carbapenems or gentamicin are believed to be the agents of choice.
C fetus CNS infections are rare and should be treated in a prolonged manner with a carbapenem such as meropenem. ^[21]

Surgical Care

Suspected toxic megacolon or aneurysms should be evaluated surgically.

Consultations

For toxic megacolon or infected aneurysms,^[35] consult a surgeon.

For endovascular C fetus infections, consult an infectious disease specialist.

Activity

Patients with Campylobacter infection may engage in activities as tolerated.

Medication

WHO. Campylobacter Key Facts. World Health Organization. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/campylobacter. May 1, 2020; Accessed: December 19, 2022.
Totten PA, Fennell CL, Tenover FC, Wezenberg JM, Perine PL, Stamm WE, et al. Campylobacter cinaedi (sp. nov.) and Campylobacter fennelliae (sp. nov.): two new Campylobacter species associated with enteric disease in homosexual men. J Infect Dis. 1985 Jan. 151 (1):131-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Saito S, Tsukahara M, Ohkusu K, Kurai H. Helicobacter fennelliae Bacteremia: Three Case Reports and Literature Review. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 May. 95 (18):e3556. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Rincé A, Balière C, Hervio-Heath D, Cozien J, Lozach S, Parnaudeau S, et al. Occurrence of Bacterial Pathogens and Human Noroviruses in Shellfish-Harvesting Areas and Their Catchments in France. Front Microbiol. 2018. 9:2443. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Wilson IG, Moore JE. Presence of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. in shellfish. Epidemiol Infect. 1996 Apr. 116 (2):147-53. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Smith JL, Bayles DO. The contribution of cytolethal distending toxin to bacterial pathogenesis. Crit Rev Microbiol. 2006 Oct-Dec. 32 (4):227-48. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Zhang L. Oral Campylobacter species: Initiators of a subgroup of inflammatory bowel disease?. World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Aug 21. 21 (31):9239-44. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kaakoush NO, Mitchell HM, Man SM. Role of emerging Campylobacter species in inflammatory bowel diseases. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2014 Nov. 20 (11):2189-97. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Zhang C, Yang Z, Hou B. Diverse bacterial profile in extraradicular biofilms and periradicular lesions associated with persistent apical periodontitis. Int Endod J. 2021 Sep. 54 (9):1425-1433. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Bolinger H, Kathariou S. The Current State of Macrolide Resistance in Campylobacter spp.: Trends and Impacts of Resistance Mechanisms. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2017 Jun 15. 83 (12):[QxMD MEDLINE Link].
CDC. Campylobacter (Campylobacteriosis) Questions and Answers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/faq.html. December 23, 2019; Accessed: December 19, 2022.
Morens DM, Folkers GK, Fauci AS. World Health Organization. "The global view of campylobacteriosis: report of an expert consultation, Utrecht, Netherlands, 9-11 July 2012." (2013). 9-11 JULY 2012. [Full Text].
Liu F, Lee SA, Xue J, Riordan SM, Zhang L. Global epidemiology of campylobacteriosis and the impact of COVID-19. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022. 12:979055. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Vital signs: incidence and trends of infection with pathogens transmitted commonly through food--foodborne diseases active surveillance network, 10 U.S. sites, 1996-2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011 Jun 10. 60(22):749-55. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Das R, Haque MA, Chisti MJ, Faruque ASG, Ahmed T. Associated factors, post infection child growth, and household cost of invasive enteritis among under 5 children in Bangladesh. Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 17. 11 (1):12738. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kwok M, Maurice A, Lisec C, Brown J. Campylobacter colitis: Rare cause of toxic megacolon. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2016. 27:141-143. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Gillespie IA, O'brien SJ, Frost JA, Tam C, Tompkins D, Neal KR. Investigating vomiting and/or bloody diarrhoea in Campylobacter jejuni infection. J Med Microbiol. 2006 Jun. 55(Pt 6):741-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Donner V, Croxatto A, Tissot F. [Invasive Campylobacter infections]. Rev Med Suisse. 2021 Apr 14. 17 (734):722-725. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Ishihara A, Hashimoto E, Ishioka H, Kobayashi H, Gomi H. Campylobacter fetus meningitis associated with eating habits of raw meat and raw liver in a healthy patient: A case report and literature review. IDCases. 2018. 11:97-100. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Pacanowski J, Lalande V, Lacombe K, Boudraa C, Lesprit P, Legrand P, et al. Campylobacter bacteremia: clinical features and factors associated with fatal outcome. Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Sep 15. 47(6):790-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
van Samkar A, Brouwer MC, van der Ende A, van de Beek D. Campylobacter Fetus Meningitis in Adults: Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Feb. 95 (8):e2858. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Ausselet N, Huang D, Vandercam B, Yombi JC. Campylobacter fetus cellulitis in an immunocompromised patient: case report and review of the literature. Acta Clin Belg. 2009 Jul-Aug. 64 (4):346-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Wagenaar JA, van Bergen MA, Blaser MJ, Tauxe RV, Newell DG, van Putten JP. Campylobacter fetus infections in humans: exposure and disease. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Jun. 58 (11):1579-86. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Davis L, DiRita V. Growth and laboratory maintenance of Campylobacter jejuni. Curr Protoc Microbiol. 2008 Aug. Chapter 8:Unit 8A.1.1-8A.1.7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Nakari UM, Puhakka A, Siitonen A. Correct identification and discrimination between Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli by a standardized hippurate test and species-specific polymerase chain reaction. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2008 Jul. 27(7):513-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Schmidt-Ott R, Brass F, Scholz C, Werner C, Gross U. Improved serodiagnosis of Campylobacter jejuni infections using recombinant antigens. J Med Microbiol. 2005 Aug. 54(Pt 8):761-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Lin S, Wang X, Zheng H, Mao Z, Sun Y, Jiang B. Direct detection of Campylobacter jejuni in human stool samples by real-time PCR. Can J Microbiol. 2008 Sep. 54(9):742-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Tolcin R, LaSalvia MM, Kirkley BA, Vetter EA, Cockerill FR 3rd, Procop GW. Evaluation of the Alexon-trend ProSpecT Campylobacter microplate assay. J Clin Microbiol. 2000 Oct. 38(10):3853-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Bessède E, Delcamp A, Sifré E, Buissonnière A, Mégraud F. New methods for detection of campylobacters in stool samples in comparison to culture. J Clin Microbiol. 2011 Mar. 49(3):941-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Buss JE, Cresse M, Doyle S, Buchan BW, Craft DW, Young S. Campylobacter culture fails to correctly detect Campylobacter in 30% of positive patient stool specimens compared to non-cultural methods. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019 Jun. 38 (6):1087-1093. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Tissari P, Rautelin H. Evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay-based stool antigen test to detect Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2007 Jun. 58 (2):171-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Couturier BA, Couturier MR, Kalp KJ, Fisher MA. Detection of non-jejuni and -coli Campylobacter species from stool specimens with an immunochromatographic antigen detection assay. J Clin Microbiol. 2013 Jun. 51 (6):1935-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Gómez-Camarasa C, Gutiérrez-Fernández J, Rodríguez-Granger JM, Sampedro-Martínez A, Sorlózano-Puerto A, Navarro-Marí JM. Evaluation of the rapid RIDAQUICK Campylobacter® test in a general hospital. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2014 Feb. 78 (2):101-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Fitzgerald C, Patrick M, Gonzalez A, Akin J, Polage CR, Gillim-Ross L, et al. Multicenter Evaluation of Clinical Diagnostic Methods for Detection and Isolation of Campylobacter spp. from Stool. J Clin Microbiol. 2016 May. 54 (5):1209-15. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Cochennec F, Gazaigne L, Lesprit P, Desgranges P, Allaire E, Becquemin JP. Aortoiliac aneurysms infected by Campylobacter fetus. J Vasc Surg. 2008 Oct. 48(4):815-20. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Gilbert DN, Moellering RC Jr, eds. The Sanford Guide To Antimicrobial Therapy 2007. 37th ed. Antimicrobial Therapy, Inc.; 2007. 15. [Full Text].
Bardon J, Kolar M, Cekanova L, Hejnar P, Koukalova D. Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and its Resistance to Antibiotics in Poultry in the Czech Republic. Zoonoses Public Health. 2008 Sep 2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Hannula M, Hänninen ML. Effects of low-level ciprofloxacin challenge in the in vitro development of ciprofloxacin resistance in Campylobacter jejuni. Microb Drug Resist. 2008 Sep. 14(3):197-201. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Price LB, Johnson E, Vailes R, Silbergeld E. Fluoroquinolone-resistant campylobacter isolates from conventional and antibiotic-free chicken products. Environ Health Perspect. 2005 May. 113(5):557-60. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Hormeño L, Palomo G, Ugarte-Ruiz M, Porrero MC, Borge C, Vadillo S, et al. Identification of the main quinolone resistance determinant in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli by MAMA-DEG PCR. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2016 Mar. 84 (3):236-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Taylor NM, Davies RH, Ridley A, Clouting C, Wales AD, Clifton-Hadley FA. A survey of fluoroquinolone resistance in Escherichia coli and thermophilic Campylobacter spp. on poultry and pig farms in Great Britain. J Appl Microbiol. 2008 Nov. 105(5):1421-31. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Meng CY, Smith BL, Bodhidatta L, Richard SA, Vansith K, Thy B, et al. Etiology of diarrhea in young children and patterns of antibiotic resistance in Cambodia. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2011 Apr. 30(4):331-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Pandey P, Bodhidatta L, Lewis M, Murphy H, Shlim DR, Cave W, et al. Travelers' diarrhea in Nepal: an update on the pathogens and antibiotic resistance. J Travel Med. 2011 Mar-Apr. 18(2):102-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Noreen Z, Siddiqui F, Javed S, Wren BW, Bokhari H. Transmission of Multidrug Resistant Campylobacter jejuni to Children from Different Sources in Pakistan. J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2019 Jul 23. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Schiaffino F, Colston JM, Paredes-Olortegui M, François R, Pisanic N, Burga R, et al. Antibiotic Resistance of Campylobacter Species in a Pediatric Cohort Study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2019 Feb. 63 (2):[QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Mandal BK, Ellis ME, Dunbar EM, Whale K. Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of erythromycin in the treatment of clinical campylobacter infection. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1984 Jun. 13(6):619-23. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Burch KL, Saeed K, Sails AD, Wright PA. Successful treatment by meropenem of Campylobacter jejuni meningitis in a chronic alcoholic following neurosurgery. J Infect. 1999 Nov. 39(3):241-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Shioyama M, Mitui Y, Ueda H, Takada K, Kureshiro J, Kitaguchi M, et al. [Bacterial meningitis with Campylobacter fetus manifesting chronic clinical course]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku. 2006 Oct. 46(10):699-701. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
van Samkar A, Brouwer MC, van der Ende A, van de Beek D. Campylobacter Fetus Meningitis in Adults: Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Feb. 95 (8):e2858. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Davis KR, Dunn AC, Burnett C, McCullough L, Dimond M, Wagner J, et al. Campylobacter jejuni Infections Associated with Raw Milk Consumption - Utah, 2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016 Apr 1. 65 (12):301-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
van Asselt ED, de Jong AE, de Jonge R, Nauta MJ. Cross-contamination in the kitchen: estimation of transfer rates for cutting boards, hands and knives. J Appl Microbiol. 2008 Nov. 105(5):1392-401. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
de Jong AE, Verhoeff-Bakkenes L, Nauta MJ, de Jonge R. Cross-contamination in the kitchen: effect of hygiene measures. J Appl Microbiol. 2008 Aug. 105(2):615-24. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Wagenaar JA, Mevius DJ, Havelaar AH. Campylobacter in primary animal production and control strategies to reduce the burden of human campylobacteriosis. Rev Sci Tech. 2006 Aug. 25(2):581-94. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Ishihara A, Hashimoto E, Ishioka H, Kobayashi H, Gomi H. Campylobacter fetus meningitis associated with eating habits of raw meat and raw liver in a healthy patient: A case report and literature review. IDCases. 2018. 11:97-100. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kang CR, Bang JH, Cho SI. Campylobacter jejuni Foodborne Infection Associated with Cross-contamination: Outbreak in Seoul in 2017. Infect Chemother. 2019 Mar. 51 (1):21-27. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Lecuit M, Abachin E, Martin A. Immunoproliferative small intestinal disease associated with Campylobacter jejuni. N Engl J Med. 2004 Jan 15. 350(3):239-48. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kosunen TU, Kauranen O, Martio J, et al. Reactive arthritis after campylobacter jejuni enteritis in patients with HLA-B27. Lancet. 1980 Jun 14. 1(8181):1312-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Pönkä A, Martio J, Kosunen TU. Reiter's syndrome in association with enteritis due to Campylobacter fetus ssp. jejuni. Ann Rheum Dis. 1981 Aug. 40(4):414-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kuperman-Shani A, Vaknin Z, Mendlovic S, Zaidenstein R, Melcer Y, Maymon R. Campylobacter coli infection causing second trimester intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR): a case report and review of the literature. Prenat Diagn. 2015 Dec. 35 (12):1258-61. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Mishu B, Blaser MJ. Role of infection due to Campylobacter jejuni in the initiation of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Clin Infect Dis. 1993 Jul. 17(1):104-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Mishu B, Ilyas AA, Koski CL, et al. Serologic evidence of previous Campylobacter jejuni infection in patients with the Guillain-Barre syndrome. Ann Intern Med. 1993 Jun 15. 118(12):947-53. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Schmidt-Ott R, Schmidt H, Feldmann S, Brass F, Krone B, Gross U. Improved serological diagnosis stresses the major role of Campylobacter jejuni in triggering Guillain-Barré syndrome. Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2006 Jul. 13(7):779-83. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Baker MG, Kvalsvig A, Zhang J, Lake R, Sears A, Wilson N. Declining Guillain-Barré syndrome after campylobacteriosis control, New Zealand, 1988–2010. Emerg Infect Dis. Feb 2012.
Harvala H, Rosendal T, Lahti E, Engvall EO, Brytting M, Wallensten A, et al. Epidemiology of Campylobacter jejuni infections in Sweden, November 2011-October 2012: is the severity of infection associated with C. jejuni sequence type?. Infect Ecol Epidemiol. 2016. 6:31079. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kogawa S, Furukawa K. [Campylobacter jejuni meningitis in an immunocompetent adult male]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku. 2010 Apr. 50(4):262-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kitamura S, Matsumura N, Ohtake N, Kita M, Konishi I. Tubo-ovarian abscess with endometrial cyst probably infected by Campylobacter fetus: Two cases. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2016 Apr 14. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

Media Gallery

Scanning electron microscope image of Campylobacter jejuni, illustrating its corkscrew appearance and bipolar flagella. Source: Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia.

of 1

Author

Mahmud H Javid, MBBS Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital, Pakistan

Mahmud H Javid, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Shadab Hussain Ahmed, MD, FACP, FIDSA, AAHIVS Professor of Clinical Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center; Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of New York Institute of Technology; Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center

Shadab Hussain Ahmed, MD, FACP, FIDSA, AAHIVS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Michael Stuart Bronze, MD David Ross Boyd Professor and Chairman, Department of Medicine, Stewart G Wolf Endowed Chair in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center; Master of the American College of Physicians; Fellow, Infectious Diseases Society of America; Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London

Michael Stuart Bronze, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, Association of Professors of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Oklahoma State Medical Association, Southern Society for Clinical Investigation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor