Campylobacter

Question 1

Morphology of Campylobacter

Answer 1

curved rods

Question 2

air requirements of Campylobacter

Answer 2

• microaerophilic
  
  • not strict aerobes nor anaerobes; required mixed gas to grow

Question 3

Environment needed for cultivation: campylobacter

Answer 3

• Require microaerobic environment for cultivation
• Can be cultured on blood agar or specialised agars like Skirrow’s agar
• A pouch can be used to provide the necessary mixed gas for their growth

Question 4

Characteristic of campylobacter

Answer 4

Commensals of the gut in a number of animals
Fragile organism that dies readily when subjected to heat

Question 5

What causes bovine venereal disease

Answer 5

Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis

Question 6

What does Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis lead to

Answer 6

Leads to embryonic death, abortion & infertility in F cattle

Question 7

Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis infection in heifers or cow during pre-gestational phase

Answer 7

• it invades the uterus & oviduct
  
  • Causes endometritis (inflammation of the uterine lining) & salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes)
• Can prevent implantation or lead to abortion
• Often results in transient fertility with cows typically eliminating the organism & regaining fertility within ~ 5 months, though natural immunity only lasts 2-3 years

Question 8

site of infection for Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis

Answer 8

obligate parasite of the penis and prepuce of male cattle and the anterior vagina and cervix of female cattle

Question 9

Shedding of Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis

Answer 9

Bulls are typically asymptomatic carriers, localising the organism in their epithelium without showing lesions, but they can shed it in very high concentrations in semen (e.g., 200,000 organisms per millilitre)

Question 10

Transmission of Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis

Answer 10

The infection is primarily a venereal disease, meaning it is transmitted through sexual contact between a bull and a heifer or cow, or via artificial insemination

Question 11

What can Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus cause in sheep

Answer 11

causes abortion & stillbirth in sheep
Outbreaks in sheep, can cause foetal death & lesions on foetal caruncles

Question 12

What can Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus cause in cattle

Answer 12

sporadic abortion in cattle

Question 13

What can Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus cause in humans

Answer 13

Organism can also cause gastroenteritis & septicaemia in humans

Question 14

Host spp in Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus

Answer 14

primarily affects sheep & cattle

Question 15

Site of infection Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus

Answer 15

Unlike C. fetus subsp. venerealis, this subspecies can be carried intestinally in many species

Question 16

Transmission of Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus

Answer 16

Transmission occurs through ingestion, rather than venereal spreading

Question 17

Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus in humans

Answer 17

Its ability to cause gastrointestinal infection and septicemia in humans highlights its zoonotic potential

Question 18

Common Campylobacter spp in humans

Answer 18

Campylobacter jejuni (most significant) and Campylobacter coli

Question 19

Transmission of Campylobacter species in humans

Answer 19

primarily occurs through foodborne routes and cross-contamination

Question 20

List Sources of infection of Campylobacter species in humans

Answer 20

Contaminated poultry & meat
Undercooked food
Cross contamination
contaminated water & live animal

Question 21

Enteritis caused by Campylobacter

Answer 21

C. jejuni is a leading cause of enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine) and food poisoning in humans