Campylobacter-caused diarrhea. Who is at risk? What to watch for.

Campylobacter jejuni is now recognized as one of the most common causes of human infectious diarrhea. Avian species and mammals are the chief reservoirs, although the organism has been isolated from contaminated drinking water and unpasteurized milk. Transmission usually occurs by the fecal-oral route through ingestion of contaminated food or water or by direct contact with feces of infected humans or animals. Persons affected have abdominal pain, watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, and constitutional symptoms. Diagnosis is established by demonstrating the organism in Gram stains of stool or by stool or blood culture. Erythromycin is the drug of choice if specific therapy is needed.