Update on the burden of Campylobacter in developing countries

Abstract

Purpose of review Recent work has added to the understanding of the burden of Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, and non-jejuni/coli Campylobacter strains in children living in the developing world. Recent findings New diagnostic modalities and carefully-designed field studies are demonstrating that the burden of Campylobacter diarrhea in children in the developing world has been greatly underestimated. Furthermore, there is emerging recognition of an association between Campylobacter infection and malnutrition. Important progress has been made towards a Campylobacter jejuni vaccine. Finally, evidence of antibiotic resistance continues to be an important issue that is accentuated by the realization that the burden of disease is greater than previously recognized. Summary Additional research is needed to refine our understanding of the epidemiology of Campylobacter infections in developing countries, in particular to improve estimates of the burden of Campylobacter diarrhea in endemic settings, to determine the impact of recurrent Campylobacter infections on child development, and to describe the prevalence and clinical significance of non-jejuni/coli Campylobacter infections. Progressive antibiotic resistance of isolates argues for augmented and expanded control measures of antibiotics in livestock. Continued work in vaccine development is warranted as is the extension of data available on the serotypes related to burden in different areas of the world and the relationship of serotypes to disease severity.

Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Tests for Detection of Pathogens Associated with Gastroenteritis

“…New diagnostic tools such as enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and molecular tests have shown a much higher positive rate of Campylobacter infection than found by culture 26 . Most laboratories use selective culture techniques for isolation of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli , which led to the thought that they are the primary species associated with gastroenteritis.…”

Survival of the Fittest: How Bacterial Pathogens Utilize Bile To Enhance Infection

“…Research with C. jejuni has been challenging due to the high degree of genomic plasticity and high rates of genetic transformation found within this naturally competent microorganism (149). However, strains that carry or overexpress flagellum genes, adherence structures, and invasion mechanisms are associated with increased virulence (148)(149)(150)(151). As summarized below, pathogenic studies reveal that bile exposure acts as a stimulus for the upregulation of many virulence mechanisms in C. jejuni.…”

Contact with poultry and animals increases risk of Campylobacter infections in adults of Ardabil province, Iran

“…(41,42) In a 10-year study in Switzerland (from 2002 to 2012) the prevalence of Campylobacter in animals was indicated and it has been found that chicken are the most common reservoir/source of Campylobacter infection, with average contamination of 70.9%, whereas cattle have been named as the second most common source, with a rate of 19.3%, while dogs and pigs were other sources with rates of 8.6% and 1.2% respectively. (11) The presence of Campylobacter species as normal flora in stool and eggs of poultry is one of the major causes that might affect the prevalence of campylobacteriosis in patients. (38) Also there are some reports that found this pathogen in the normal flora of other animals.…”

“…(10) Environmental contamination can be caused by domestic animals and poultry (as natural reservoirs of Campylobacter species). (11) Poultry carcasses in stores that are not under sanitary monitoring and consumption of undercooked poultry meat are important causes of outbreaks. (12) The occurrence of this disease is usually higher in older persons over 75 years of age, young children under 4 years of age and young adults who are 20-40 years old.…”