ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the evidence for Campylobacter jejuni as a causative agent of travellers' diarrhea. Although the spectrum of illness caused by Campylobacter. jejuni does not allow distinction from diarrhea of other causes, abdominal cramps and fever with the presence of fecal leucocytes and erythrocytes in travellers with diarrhea should strongly suggest a diagnosis of Shigella or Campylobacter. jejuni enterocolitis. Several studies have shown that Campylobacter diarrhea is usually followed by a good serum antibody response. Convalescent antibody response was significantly more common among diarrheal patients than among asymptomatic excretors, as indicated by fecal leucocytes and erythrocytes, to show an antibody-response more frequently than patients with watery diarrhea; similar observation in shigellosis has been reported. The differential diagnosis of acute enterocolitis, characterized by the presence of fecal leucocytes and erythrocytes, requires specialized microbiological or serological facilities. In practice, where Shigella or Campylobacter. jejuni are prevalent, an empirical chemotherapy effective in both infections would be appropriate and should be evaluated.
