Campylobacter << `KAM` pih loh BAK tuhr >> are a kind of bacteria that can cause a form of food poisoning. The illness, called campylobacteriosis, is usually caused by the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni. The bacterium occurs in unclean water and also in many types of domestic animals, including chickens, turkeys, pigs, and dogs. Scientists did not recognize Campylobacter as a cause of foodborne illness until the 1970’s. However, health officials think that campylobacteriosis is the most common form of bacterial food poisoning in the United States.
The Campylobacter bacterium enters the digestive tract most often through unclean water or improperly cooked and prepared foods. It passes through the stomach and enters the intestines. The bacterium then attaches to the lining of the intestine and grows. People first have symptoms of campylobacteriosis 2 to 10 days after swallowing the bacterium. A common symptom is diarrhea. The illness is generally mild, and people usually recover within days. In severe cases, however, the bacterium can destroy some of the lining of the intestine, causing intestinal bleeding. People with severe illness may require hospitalization.
Some campylobacteriosis outbreaks are associated with dogs purchased from pet stores. Such outbreaks have been especially resistant to treatment with antibiotics (see Antibiotic resistance). Health researchers think the resistant bacteria developed in healthy puppies at commercial dog-breeding facilities where breeders overused antibiotics as preventive treatment. Handling these puppies has made pet store workers and dog owners sick.
To avoid campylobacteriosis, cook meats thoroughly and do not drink untreated water. It is also important to wash hands, cooking utensils, and surfaces thoroughly after using them to prepare raw meat. Campylobacter often occur in the juices of raw meats and may remain on a cutting board or knife used to cut up meat and then spread to other foods. In addition, health officials urge people to wash their hands after petting dogs or cleaning up dog waste.
See also Food poisoning; Zoonosis.
