Campylobacteriosis is an acute infectious disease caused by gram-negative bacteria from the genus Campilobacter – C.jejuni and C.fetus.
Routes of infection
The causative agent of campylobacteriosis is the enteropathogenic microorganism C.jejuni, one of the subspecies of C.fetus. Patients produce specific antibodies of the classes IgA, IgM, IgG. C.jejuni causes focal destruction of the mucous membrane of the small, mainly ileal, and large intestine.
These bacteria are found in the intestinal flora of many animals and can be transmitted to humans through contaminated milk and water.
C.jejuni is widespread and often causes acute diarrhea. Most often, isolated cases of campylobacteriosis occur, although a large number of family and group outbreaks of infection have been described.
Symptoms
Children, pregnant women and people suffering from severe diseases of internal organs most often get sick.
The disease begins with
- diarrhea,
- abdominal pain,
- fever,
- Vomiting occurs frequently.
The stool has a watery appearance mixed with blood and pus.
The duration of the disease in mild cases does not exceed 1-2 days.
In severe forms, 1-2 days after the onset of diarrhea,
- arthritis (joint pain), most often affecting the knee joint,
- abdominal pain becomes so severe that an “acute abdomen” .
Cases of meningitis and typhoid-like course of campylobacteriosis have been described.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is established using bacteriological examination of stool and contents of the small intestine.
Microscopic examination of stool reveals leukocytes and red blood cells.
On endoscopic examination, the picture has many similarities with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis .
Therefore, it is necessary to exclude these diseases.
Treatment
In mild cases, self-recovery occurs or recovery occurs with symptomatic treatment.
Eliminating symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting) is especially important in children, as they quickly become dehydrated.
You can read about the treatment of diarrhea in children here .
about the treatment of diarrhea in adults in this article .
Antibiotics are prescribed only for severe abdominal pain and complications.
Prescribe erythromycin or chloramphenicol.
Forecast
Recovery does not come immediately. During the period of recovery of the body after an infection, irritable bowel syndrome (the article describes methods for eliminating IBS).
The following manifestations are possible:
- alternating diarrhea and constipation;
- flatulence;
- stomach ache;
- poor tolerance to milk and other products containing disaccharides.
Prevention
To prevent the disease, strict adherence to hygiene requirements is of great importance, especially when eating meat and milk.
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