Campylobacter species are curved or rod-shaped bacteria that cause campylobacteriosis infections. Seventeen species and six subspecies have been ascribed to the genus of Campylobacter, including the spiral-shaped C. jejuni and the S-shaped C. coli that collectively cause about 25 percent of all gastroenteritis cases in humans worldwide.
Campylobacteriosis symptoms usually include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, headache and fever. Onset of symptoms usually occurs within two to five days after infection and last from three to six days. Infants in developing countries are at greater risk, as are travelers to developing countries who are:
Under 5 years old
Over 65 years old
Male
Immunocompromised
In approximately 1 of 1,000 cases, C. jejuni is closely linked to the subsequent development of Guillain-Barre syndrome, an acute form of autoimmune paralysis. C. jejuni infection has also been associated with reactive arthritis in both children and adults.
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