Pathogens and clinical features of recent infectious enteritis in adults with emphasis on Campylobacter jejuni

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) has recently become recognized as a common bacterial pathogen of enteritis. The present investigation was undertaken to describe the relative frequency, clinical and laboratory features of Campylobacter enteritis seen at Tokyo Metropolitan Toshima Hospital From April 1981 through March 1982.Cary-Blair's medium was used in some cases to transport stool specimens from 1981 and in all cases in 1982.Stool specimens from 454 patients suspected of infectious enteritis were cultured and revealed pathogens in 166 (36.6%). C. jejuni was isolated from the feces of 107 patients (64.8%): Salmonella, 20 (12.1%); Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaem.), 19 (11.5%); Shigella, 8 (4.8%). These pathogens were isolated most frequently in July and August. In 1982, C. jejuni was isolated in 14 patients in July, 13 in May and 10 in June and November. As to age distribution, C. jejuni was prevalent in the age groups 20 to 29 (46.7%) and 15 to 19 (28.0%), Salmonella, 20 to 29 (30%) and 30 to 39 (35.0%), V. parahaem. and 20 to 29, 30 to 39 and sometimes over 40.Fever was observed most commonly in Salmonella enteritis and Compylobacter enteritis was found to be the second. Average bowel movements were 10.1 times a day in patients with positive Salmonella, 8.7 times V. parahaem., and 7.3 times C. jejuni. Watery stool was prevalent in V. parahaem. (89.4%) and only 67.6% in C. jejuni. Bloody stool was observed in enteritis due to Salmonella, C. jejuni and V. parahaem. in order of frequency and was under 20% in each group. The median perior for improvement in stool character was 6.2 days in Salmonella, 5.7 days in C. jejuni, and 3.6days in V. parahaem.In patients showed severe symptoms compared to outpatients but there was no remarkable difference in time for improvement of stool character in these enteritis.We confirmed that C. jejuni and one of the most important pathogens of infectious enteritis at present. Cary-Blair's medium is very valuable for transporting stool specimens.