ABSTRACT
Campylobacter jejuni is a Gram negative entero-pathogen belonging to the epsilon-proteobacteria causing gastroenteritis. It is the commonest bacterial cause of gastroenteritis worldwide and is acquired from contaminated food or water. The organism is part of the normal flora of many food-source animals and is frequently linked to poor kitchen hygiene and cooking. It occasionally causes bacteremia. Complications of infection are immune-related neurologic and joint problems. The gastroenteritis is caused by an acute inflammatory response to the organism, the action of a cytolethal distending toxin and inhibition of the sodium channel proteins all leading to diarrhea. The presentation cannot be distinguished from other causes of gastroenteritis and the organism has to be detected by culture or PCR for accurate microbiological diagnosis. Generally, antibiotics are not required as the illness is self-limiting.
