Campylobacter jejuni
Quick Summary
Campylobacter jejuni is a spiral-shaped bacterium that is the most common cause of food-related infections in humans, known as campylobacteriosis. This bacterium often colonizes cattle and chickens without causing illness, leading to contamination of processed meats, raw milk, and uncooked poultry. Improper handling in the kitchen, such as using unwashed utensils, can also spread the bacteria.12
Symptoms of campylobacteriosis typically begin abruptly with fever, headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. While infections usually resolve within a week without antibiotics, the increasing resistance of C. jejuni to common antibiotics is a growing concern. In some cases, campylobacteriosis can lead to complications like reactive arthritis or Guillain-Barré syndrome, a serious condition that can cause temporary paralysis. Efforts are underway to develop vaccines for poultry to reduce the incidence of human infections.12
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nutritional diseaseFoodborne illnessesCampylobacter jejuni, found in raw or undercooked foods of animal origin, especially poultry, is responsible for more diarrheal illness throughout the world than any other bacterium. Travelers’ diarrhea is often caused by specific types of Escherichia coli bacteria, while other E. coli types cause much…
Read MoreCampylobacter jejuni, found in raw or undercooked foods of animal origin, especially poultry, is responsible for more diarrheal illness throughout the world than any other bacterium. Travelers’ diarrhea is often caused by specific types of Escherichia coli bacteria, while other E. coli types cause much…
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campylobacterCampylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of food-related infections. Cattle and chickens are often colonized by C. jejuni without showing signs of illness, and, as a result, processed meats, uncooked poultry, and raw milk can become contaminated with the bacterium. In the home, knives…
Read MoreCampylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of food-related infections. Cattle and chickens are often colonized by C. jejuni without showing signs of illness, and, as a result, processed meats, uncooked poultry, and raw milk can become contaminated with the bacterium. In the home, knives…
Read More