ABSTRACT

Campylobacter is a leading bacterial cause of diarrhea in humans in all parts of the world. In the United States Campylobacter cause approximately 2.5 million illnesses per year (or 12.4% of all defined foodborne illnesses) and are responsible for 124 deaths each year. About 80% of Campylobacter illnesses are thought to be foodborne (Mead et al., 1999). In developing countries, infection is hyperendemic among young children <5 years of age (Oberhelman and Taylor, 2000). Infection of domesticated animals is widespread (including poultry, pigs, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, and birds). This pathogen can be transmitted to human populations through consumption of undercooked poultry, pork, and beef, unpasteurized milk, contaminated drinking water, and the feces of infected pets (Aho et al., 1989; Shane, 1992; Stern et al., 2001).