Campylobacter jejuni

This slender, rod-shaped bacterium causes more cases of food poisoning in the US than any other organism, over 2 million cases annually. The most frequent sources of Campylobacter infections are uncooked poultry, especially giblets and skin, unpasteurized milk, and untreated water in streams and ponds. Hamburger and veal have also been identified as carriers of these bacteria.

Symptoms usually occur 2-5 days after the victim has eaten the contaminated food or drunk contaminated water. Symptoms include:

• Diarrhea, which may be bloody
• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Muscle pain

The illness lasts 7-10 days, with gradual reduction in symptoms as the bacteria and their toxins are expelled. About 25% of patients later experience a relapse, with recurrence of symptoms. Antibiotic therapy is usually not employed for Campylobacter infections, as the illness is self-limiting: once the contaminated food and the bacteria have been expelled, symptoms resolve.

Complications are fairly rare, occurring in about 1 per thousand cases. Complications can include the development of reactive arthritis, also called Reiter’s syndrome, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Both of these are autoimmune disorders, in which the body’s own immune system attacks the body. The attacks appear to be triggered by the Campylobacter infection. Reactive arthritis can involve joint pain and joint inflammation that persists for months, painful urination, and irritation of the eyes.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome, GBS, is a serious neuromuscular disorder that can cause paralysis, and is potentially fatal if not diagnosed and treated aggressively. The immune system attacks the myelin covering, the insulation, on nerve fibers, and transmission of nerve impulses is interfered with. The first indicators may be very subtle, a mild muscular weakness or mild tingling in the toes and feet, sometimes in the fingers. Other symptoms may include severe pain in the low back, problems swallowing, and difficulty with balance and gait. Heart rate may slow, and blood pressure may drop. The tingling and weakness progress upward through the legs, and the weakness can develop into paralysis. The gravest risk is that the condition is not diagnosed and that the paralysis progresses to muscles that regulate breathing.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact your health care provider immediately. Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment in a hospital setting are critical to reversing this Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

The cost of Campylobacter infections to the US economy, including medical care, lost work hours, and pain and suffering for its victims is estimated at $18.8 billion every year.