Impact and management of Campylobacter in human medicine--European perspective.

In 2001 in Germany, Campylobacter was second to Salmonella as the most frequent foodborne pathogen isolated from humans. This is also true for the major part of the European population with incidence data available, namely Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, Austria and Spain, with a total population of 154.5 million, and incidence rates for Salmonella and Campylobacter of 81.8/100 000 and 49.0/100 000 respectively. Countries where Campylobacter is predominant are the UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and The Netherlands, with a total population of 94.2 million, and incidence rates for Campylobacter and Salmonella of 79.6/100 000 and 33.3/100 000, respectively. Shigella is rarely isolated in Europe (1.9-4.5/100 000). Epidemiologic risk factors for human campylobacteriosis are poultry, untreated milk, and surface water. Travel plays an important role, especially in Scandinavia and the UK. Isolates acquired outside these countries are much more often resistant to fluoroquinolones than are domestic strains. Fluoroquinolone resistance in human Campylobacter isolates is lowest in the UK and Denmark, at 12%. Resistance quotes of around 20-40% are found in Finland, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Austria, and Germany, and peaks in Spain reaching 70-80%. Usually, uncomplicated Campylobacter enteritis is symptomatically treated. If, in severe cases, antimicrobials are indicated, in all European countries except Switzerland, macrolides are used as first-line drugs, followed by fluoroquinolones or doxycycline.