Campylobacter

Question 1

What type of organism is Campylobacter?

Answer 1

Bacteria in Campylobacter genus

E.g. C. jejuni, C. coli, and others.

Question 2

How is Campylobacter transmitted?

Answer 2

• Ingestion of contaminated food or water - raw / undercooked meat, raw milk, contaminated water
• Contact with pets/farm animals

Person-to-person transmission via faecal-oral route is uncommon.

Question 3

What are common clinical features of Campylobacter infection?

Answer 3

• Asymptomatic
• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhoea (may be bloody)
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Malaise

Symptoms can last from a few days to 2 weeks and are usually self-limiting.

Question 4

What are complicated of campylobacter infection?

Answer 4

• Bacteraemia
• Hepatitis
• Pancreatitis
• Reactive arthritis
• GBS
• IBS

Question 5

Who are considered high-risk groups for Campylobacter infection?

Answer 5

Very young, elderly, immunocompromised

Question 6

What is the confirmed case definition for Campylobacter infection?

Answer 6

Confirmed only

Question 7

What is the primary method for diagnosing Campylobacter infection?

Answer 7

Stool culture
Antibody/PCR methods also exist.

Question 8

What is the typical incubation period for Campylobacter infection?

Answer 8

2-5 days (range 1-10 days)

Question 9

When is a person with Campylobacter infection considered infectious?

Answer 9

Throughout illness; excretion potentially continues even after symptoms resolve

However, person-to-person transmission via faecal-oral route uncommon

Question 10

What constitutes an outbreak of Campylobacter infection?

Answer 10

2+ cases suspected to be food- or waterborne

Question 11

T / F: most cases of campylobacter are sporadic

Answer 11

True - but food- and waterborne OBs do occur. Many OBs likely not detected

Question 12

What are the preventive measures for Campylobacter infection?

Answer 12

• Food and personal hygiene
• Thorough cooking of raw meat
• Refrigeration
• Washing cutting boards/utensils
• Washing hands after touching pets

Control measures should be applied at all stages of the food chain - agricultural production, processing, manufacturing, preparation

Question 13

What resources are available for public health management of campylobacter?

Answer 13

DH protocol
(No SoNG)
Various gastroenteritis outbreak guidelines

Question 14

What is the case management protocol for Campylobacter infection?

Answer 14

Nil routine public health follow-up

T - supportive treatment; antibiotics if severe
I - contact precautions in hospital / residential care
E - Sx, transmission, prevention

Question 15

What are the exclusion guidelines for cases in healthcare workers, childcare workers, and food handlers with Campylobacter infection?

Answer 15

• Work - excluded from work until diarrhoea ceases
• School / ECEC - excluded until there has not been a loose bowel motion for 24 hours.
• RACF - isolated from other residents if possible

Question 16

What should be done if a case of Campylobacter infection occurs in residential care?

Answer 16

Isolate from other residents if possible

Question 17

What environmental management is required for campylobacter?

Answer 17

N/A

Question 18

How should outbreaks of Campylobacter infection be managed?

Answer 18

As per standard gastroenteritis outbreak guidelines

Obtain food histories and investigate other recognized vehicles of infection.