ABSTRACT
Campylobacter is one of the major causes of diarrhea in humans, in several countries overtaking Salmonella in importance. Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni is the species most frequently associated with acute foodborne gastroenteritis, followed by Campylobacter coli. Campylobacter belongs to the family Campylobacteriaceae, which includes actively growing cells, generally curved or spiral shaped. The Campylobacter species usually associated with diseases transmitted by foods form a distinct subcluster within the Campylobacter genus, and are called thermo-tolerant. Autoimmune diseases are another potential long-term complication associated with campylobacteriosis. Campylobacter species are widely distributed among warm-blooded animals and are prevalent in poultry, cattle, swine, sheep, ostriches and shellfish and in pets, including cats and dogs. Campylobacteriosis is considered a direct zoonosis; that is, a disease transmitted from animals or animal products to man. In animals, Campylobacter rarely causes disease.
