Campylobacteriosis

Campylobacteriosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter, which are curved or spiral-shaped, motile, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative rods. The illness is most commonly caused by Campylobacter jejuni, though other species including C. coli, C. upsaliensis, and C. lari can also produce disease. The organism normally colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of various animals, including cattle, swine, and birds, where it may exist without causing apparent harm to the carrier. Human infection results in tissue injury primarily affecting the jejunum, ileum, and colon through invasion and destruction of epithelial cells.

The clinical presentation of campylobacteriosis typically begins with a prodromal phase lasting up to 24 hours, characterized by fever, headache, and severe myalgia. After an incubation period of one to five days, the illness progresses to diarrhea, which may involve as many as ten watery and frequently bloody bowel movements per day, accompanied by dysentery, abdominal cramps, and fever reaching as high as 40°C. The disease is classified as invasive or inflammatory diarrhea. In most individuals, the illness resolves within two to ten days. However, abdominal pain may become localized and mimic acute appendicitis, complicating clinical differentiation. Complications including toxic megacolon, severe dehydration, and sepsis occur predominantly in infants under one year of age and immunocompromised persons. A chronic disease course is possible, featuring prolonged sub-febrile temperatures, asthenia, and potential sequelae such as eye damage, arthritis, and endocarditis if untreated. Approximately one to two cases per 100,000 infections may develop Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Campylobacteriosis ranks among the most frequently reported bacterial infections in humans worldwide, with the majority of cases attributable to foodborne transmission. Animals farmed for meat production represent the primary reservoir and source of human infection. Studies examining strain distribution have found that a substantial proportion of human cases are caused by bacterial populations typically associated with agricultural sources. The disease exhibits a broad geographic distribution consistent with global food animal production and consumption patterns. Surveillance data indicate that campylobacteriosis contributes significantly to the burden of acute diarrheal disease in both developed and developing settings.

The principal routes of Campylobacter transmission to humans involve the fecal-oral pathway, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. Consumption of unpasteurized or raw milk and undercooked or improperly handled poultry products represents a major exposure pathway. Waterborne transmission through contaminated drinking water has also been documented. Direct contact with infected animals constitutes an additional transmission route, with particular risk associated with handling contaminated poultry, livestock, and household pets, especially puppies. The bacteria can be transmitted through sexual contact in animal populations, contributing to maintenance of the pathogen in reservoir hosts.

Young children under one year of age face elevated risk for severe complications including toxic megacolon, dehydration, and sepsis. Immunocompromised individuals, including those with HIV/AIDS and hypogammaglobulinemia, experience more frequent infections, prolonged diarrheal illness, and increased likelihood of bacteremia with associated antibiotic resistance. Patients with HIV may present with atypical manifestations including prolonged bouts of dirty brown diarrhea and higher rates of antibiotic-resistant strains. Individuals participating in unprotected anal intercourse may develop localized proctocolitis affecting the distal colon. The elderly and those with underlying immunodeficiencies represent additional groups at heightened risk for adverse outcomes and mortality.

Source-backed detail is not yet available.

Campylobacteriosis is classified as an invasive or inflammatory form of diarrhea, often presenting as bloody diarrhea or dysentery, which distinguishes it from non-inflammatory diarrheal syndromes in syndromic surveillance systems. The characteristic progression from systemic prodromal symptoms to inflammatory enteritis over one to five days provides a recognizable clinical pattern for case identification. Given the foodborne predominance of transmission, surveillance systems that integrate laboratory confirmation with food safety monitoring can enhance detection of outbreak signals. The potential for severe outcomes in young children and immunocompromised individuals warrants particular attention in sentinel surveillance targeting vulnerable populations.

1. 1 Wikidata. campylobacteriosis.
2. 2 Wikipedia. Campylobacteriosis - Wikipedia.

ICD-10

ICD-11

Total cases

961K

Peak month

2025-08

Coverage

2 reporting countries · 2000-01-01 → 2026-05-09