[[[ Objective: ]]] A study designed to evaluate the incidence of Campylobacter jejuni infection among patients with gastroenteritis referred to a Microbiology Laboratory in San Juan was conducted from December 1998 through May 1999. [[[ Background: ]]] Campylobacter jejuni is recognized around the world as one of the principal causes of gastroenteritis. A specific serotype of this organism has been recently mentioned as a major pathogen preceding Guillain-Barrè syndrome. Establishing incidence of Campylobacter jejuni infection is important in order to develop uniform guidelines for clinical laboratories; whether to attempt isolation of this pathogen from all stool samples, or to perform the special procedures only when it is specifically requested by the attending physician. [[[ Methods: ]]] In this study, stool samples received at the Microbiology Department of a Reference Laboratory in San Juan, with clear signs of gastroenteritis (i.e. bloody and/or liquid stools) were selected for Campylobacter culture. Samples were fresh rectal swabs, liquid stools or previously inoculated Campylobacter thioglycollate broth. Stools were inoculated directly to the agar, either by using a swab or alternately 1-2 drops of liquid stools, or of the previously inoculated Campylobacter thioglycollate broth. Plates were incubated for 72 hrs. at 42 degrees C in a microaerophilic atmosphere (Beckton Dickinson, BBL Campy Pouch). [[[ Results: ]]] Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 3/98 (3.0%) of the samples tested; two of which were cultured as specifically requested by the patient’s physician. One isolate was obtained from a sample with no specific request for Campylobacter culture. Enteropathogens other than Campylobacter jejuni were isolated from 18/380 (4.7%) of routinely cultured samples. [[[ Conclusions: ]]] The study showed a small increment in Campylobacter jejuni isolation when testing samples with no specific request for Campylobacter culture. Campylobacter jejuni incidence was second to Salmonella species.
Campylobacter jejuni among patients with gastroenteritis: incidence at a reference microbiology laboratory in San Juan, Puerto Rico
[Category] 살모넬라증,
[Article Type] article
[Source] pubmed
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