Abstract
Definition of the disease: Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli can colonise the intestinal tract of
most mammals and birds and are the most frequently isolated Campylobacter species in humans
with gastro-enteritis. Transmission from animals to humans is mainly through consumption and
handling of animal food products but also direct contact with colonised animals may contribute to
human campylobacteriosis. This chapter focuses on C. jejuni and C. coli in primary livestock
production with regard to food safety.
Description of the disease: Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli do not cause clinical disease in
adult animals except for sporadic cases of abortion in ruminants and very rare cases of hepatitis in
ostriches. The faecal contamination of meat (especially poultry meat) during processing is
considered to be a major source of human food-borne disease. In humans, extraintestinal
infections, including bacteraemia, can occur and some sequelae of infection, such as
polyneuropathies, though rare, can be serious.
Identification of the agent: In mammals and birds, detection of intestinal colonisation is based on
the isolation of the organism from faeces, rectal swabs and/or caecal contents. Campylobacter
jejuni and C. coli are thermophilic, Gram-negative, highly motile bacteria that, for optimal growth,
require microaerobic environment and incubation temperatures of 37–42°C. Agar media containing
selective antibiotics are required to isolate these bacteria from faecal/intestinal samples.
Alternatively, their high motility can be exploited using filtration techniques for isolation. Enrichment
techniques to detect intestinal colonisation are not routinely used. Preliminary confirmation of
isolates can be made by light microscopy. The organisms in the log growth phase are short and Sshaped in appearance, while coccoid forms predominate in older cultures. Under phase-contrast
microscopy the organisms have a characteristic rapid corkscrew-like motility. Phenotypic
identification is based on reactions under different growth conditions. Biochemical and molecular
tests can be used to confirm various Campylobacter species. Polymerase chain reaction assays
also can be used for the direct detection of C. jejuni and C. coli.
Serological tests: serological assays are not routinely in use for the detection of C. jejuni/C. coli
colonisation.
Requirements for vaccines and diagnostic biologicals: There are no effective vaccines
available for the prevention of enteric Campylobacter infections in birds or mammals.
most mammals and birds and are the most frequently isolated Campylobacter species in humans
with gastro-enteritis. Transmission from animals to humans is mainly through consumption and
handling of animal food products but also direct contact with colonised animals may contribute to
human campylobacteriosis. This chapter focuses on C. jejuni and C. coli in primary livestock
production with regard to food safety.
Description of the disease: Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli do not cause clinical disease in
adult animals except for sporadic cases of abortion in ruminants and very rare cases of hepatitis in
ostriches. The faecal contamination of meat (especially poultry meat) during processing is
considered to be a major source of human food-borne disease. In humans, extraintestinal
infections, including bacteraemia, can occur and some sequelae of infection, such as
polyneuropathies, though rare, can be serious.
Identification of the agent: In mammals and birds, detection of intestinal colonisation is based on
the isolation of the organism from faeces, rectal swabs and/or caecal contents. Campylobacter
jejuni and C. coli are thermophilic, Gram-negative, highly motile bacteria that, for optimal growth,
require microaerobic environment and incubation temperatures of 37–42°C. Agar media containing
selective antibiotics are required to isolate these bacteria from faecal/intestinal samples.
Alternatively, their high motility can be exploited using filtration techniques for isolation. Enrichment
techniques to detect intestinal colonisation are not routinely used. Preliminary confirmation of
isolates can be made by light microscopy. The organisms in the log growth phase are short and Sshaped in appearance, while coccoid forms predominate in older cultures. Under phase-contrast
microscopy the organisms have a characteristic rapid corkscrew-like motility. Phenotypic
identification is based on reactions under different growth conditions. Biochemical and molecular
tests can be used to confirm various Campylobacter species. Polymerase chain reaction assays
also can be used for the direct detection of C. jejuni and C. coli.
Serological tests: serological assays are not routinely in use for the detection of C. jejuni/C. coli
colonisation.
Requirements for vaccines and diagnostic biologicals: There are no effective vaccines
available for the prevention of enteric Campylobacter infections in birds or mammals.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Manual of diagnostic tests and vaccines for terrestrial animals |
| Publisher | World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) |
| Pages | 1185-1191 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Volume | 2 |
| Edition | 6 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-92-9044-718-4 |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 |
| Event | Office International des Epizooties, Paris - Duration: 1 Jan 2008 → … |
Conference
| Conference | Office International des Epizooties, Paris |
|---|---|
| Period | 1/01/08 → … |