ABSTRACT
Campylobacteriosis has emerged as a significant and economically important foodborne zoonosis. Consumers of undercooked poultry,68 pork, and beef are at risk, but the pathogen also can be transmitted to human populations through unpasteurized milk or contaminated, untreated drinking water. The importance of campylobacteriosis as a foodborne disease has been confirmed by prevalence studies conducted in both industrialized and developing nations. Campylobacters are sensitive to desiccation and do not remain viable in dry environments. Intestinal colonization in food animals results in prolonged fecal excretion of Campylobacters and consequential contamination of meat products, especially poultry. Consumption of contaminated, unpasteurized milk or unchlorinated surface water may result in extensive local outbreaks of campylobacteriosis in rural populations. Campylobacteriosis presents as an acute enterocolitis in dogs and cats and is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, and pyrexia. Diagnosis of campylobacteriosis is based on isolation and identification of the pathogen.
