CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS (VIBRIOSIS)

CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS (VIBRIOSIS)



MORBIDITY: +++




MORTALITY: + TO +++




ETIOLOGY: BACTERIAL


There are several zoonotic species of Campylobacter, but C. jejuni and C. fetus are the most pathogenic. C. jejuni and C. fetus cause two specific diseases in humans and animals, so they will be discussed separately. Campylobacter spp. are spiral or curve-shaped, motile, gram-negative rods. The genus Campylobacter was previously known as Vibrio.



CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI


C. jejuni causes gastroenteritis (stomach and intestinal inflammation).



HOSTS


Mammals, the intestinal tracts of birds, and raw poultry meat are the primary reservoirs of the bacteria.



TRANSMISSION


Most human cases of campylobacteriosis are transmitted through handling raw poultry or eating raw or undercooked poultry meat. Poultry meat becomes infected when birds are slaughtered and feces from the intestines contaminate the meat. Cross-contamination of other foods can occur in the kitchen if the raw poultry or poultry juices come in contact with other food. Campylobacter can also be transmitted by direct exposure to infected animal feces. Animals that shed C. jejuni in their feces don’t have to be clinically sick to pass the bacteria to humans. Person-to-person infection is possible, especially in adults caring for children with voluminous diarrhea. People with compromised immune systems (from HIV, organ transplants, or cancer treatment) are more susceptible to Campylobacter infection and its complications.


C. jejuni can also be transmitted through drinking raw or unpasteurized milk or feces-contaminated water.


Animals are infected most often by eating feces-contaminated food, undercooked poultry, and drinking feces-contaminated water. Infected children may transmit the disease to puppies and kittens, which can in turn infect others.



CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI IN ANIMALS


Young animals are more susceptible to campylobacteriosis.



DOGS AND CATS


The clinical signs are more severe in puppies and kittens and include vomiting and diarrhea. Pet owners can become infected by coming in contact with contaminated feces.



CATTLE


Calves infected with C. jejuni may show clinical signs, including fever and diarrhea with blood or mucus present. The disease can last up to 2 weeks. C. jejuni has been shown to cause mastitis in cows, which can be a source of infection to humans and animals who drink the raw milk.



SHEEP


C. jejuni causes abortion in sheep, which will occur late in pregnancy. An infected ewe may deliver a full-term lamb that will be dead or weak and that may die within a couple of days.



POULTRY


Poultry are reservoirs for C. jejuni, and shed the organism in their feces. They do not naturally become clinically ill.



CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI IN HUMANS


Campylobacteriosis is one of the most common diarrheal diseases in the United States and is seen most often in the summer months. Clinical signs appear 2 to 5 days after exposure and include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever.


Guillain-Barré syndrome, a nervous system disorder that can lead to paralysis when the body is triggered to attack its own nerves, is a rare complication of C. jejuni infection. It will appear about 2 weeks after the appearance of clinical signs and will last several weeks.

Related posts:

  1. ABOUT THE DISEASES
  2. BRUCELLOSIS
  3. EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS
  4. LEPTOSPIROSIS

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Oct 1, 2016 | Posted by in EXOTIC, WILD, ZOO | Comments Off on CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS (VIBRIOSIS)

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