An epidemiological study on campylobacter enteritis in Malta

Abstract

Campylobacteriosis refers to the group of infections caused by gram-negative bacteria belonging to the genus Campylobacter. It is amongst the most common bacterial infections of humans in all parts of the world. Campylobacters cause both diarrhoeal and systemic illnesses and are also associated with gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Infection of domesticated animals with campylobacters is also widespread. The recognition of Campylobacters jejuni (and related species) as a common cause of human enteritis has become well-established only within the past 10 years. Various studies in several developed countries indicate that C.jejuni is the most common bacterial cause of acute gastrointestinal infection in humans, exceeding rates of illness caused by both Salmonella and Shigella. Concern among food microbiologists about C.jejuni was raised after epidemiological evidence from many outbreaks implicated foods in the transmission of the organisms to humans. The organism's optimal growth temperature and its requirements for reduced levels of oxygen are provided within the enteron of poultry and warm-blooded domestic animals. Because the organism is commensal within the intestine of live stock, foods of animal origin can easily become contaminated. The aim of this study was to provide an exhaustive review of the literature on the subject and to determine the incidence of C.jejuni and C.coli in Malta which are enteropathogenic to man and animals.