Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in children from communities in Northeastern Brazil: molecular detection and relation to nutritional status

Abstract

This study determined the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni/ coli and its relation with nutritional status in children from Northeastern Brazil. This was a case-control study design. Stool samples were evaluated for hipO ( C. jejuni), ask ( C. coli), and cdtABC ( C. jejuni's cytolethal distending toxin) genes. The nutritional status from these children was assessed by anthropometric measures and z-scores. C. jejuni and C. coli were detected in 9.6% (8/83) and 6.0% (5/83) in the diarrhea group and in 7.2% (6/83) and 1.2% (1/83) of the nondiarrhea group, respectively. Children with positive molecular detection of C. jejuni showed significantly lower z-scores than children without C. jejuni. The cdtABC operon was found in 57% of hipO + samples. C. jejuni/ coli prevalence was similar in diarrhea and nondiarrhea groups. There was a significant association of C. jejuni infection with lower nutritional status.