SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENTS

NAME: Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, C. fetus subsp. fetus.

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE : Campylobacter Enteritis, Vibrionic Enteritis, Traveler’s Diarrhea.

CHARACTERISTICS : Gram negative spiral and S-shaped bacteria; darting motility; grown best under reduced oxygen tension.
 

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY : Acute enteric disease of variable severity; diarrhea, abdominal pain, malaise, fever, nausea and vomiting; prolonged illness in up to 20% of patients; blood in association with mucus and WBCs present in liquid of foul smelling stools; typhoidal-type syndrome, arthritis are rare.

EPIDEMIOLOGY : Important cause of diarrheal illness worldwide in all age groups (5-14% of diarrhea in world); common source outbreaks most often associated with foods, unpasteurized milk and unchlorinated water; largest number of temperate cases in warmer months.

HOST RANGE : Humans, animals and birds.

INFECTIOUS DOSE : 500 organisms or less (ingestion).

MODE OF TRANSMISSION : By ingestion of organisms in food, unpasteurized milk, or water; contact with infected pets (puppies and kittens), wild animals or infected infants.  Possible cross-contamination from these sources to foods that are eaten uncooked or poorly refrigerated.

INCUBATION PERIOD : 3-5 days, with a range of 1-10 days.

COMMUNICABILITY : Communicable throughout course of infection; individuals not treated with antibiotics excrete organisms for as long as 2-7 weeks; chronic carrier state is unusual.
 

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR : Animals - swine, cattle, sheep, birds (including poultry), rodents, cats, dogs and other pets.

ZOONOSIS : Yes - chronic carrier state established; animals constitute primary source of infection.

VECTORS : None
 

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY : Sensitive to erythromycin, tetracyclines and aminoglycosides.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants - 1% sodium hypochlorite (20% commercial bleach), 70% ethanol, 2% glutaraldehyde, iodines, phenolics, formaldehyde.

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION : Sensitive to moist heat (121° C for at least 15 min.) and dry heat (160°-170° C for at least 1 hour).

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST : Feces - up to 9 days; milk - 3 days; glass slides - 24 hours; water - 2 to 5 days.
 

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE : Monitor for symptoms; confirmation by stool culture.

FIRST AID/TREATMENT : Rehydration and electrolyte replacement; short antibiotic course for severe or prolonged illness.

IMMUNIZATION : None

PROPHYLAXIS : Not usually administered.
 

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 1 reported laboratory acquired infection.

SOURCES/SPECIMENS : Feces, blood.

PRIMARY HAZARDS : Ingestion, parenteral inoculation.

SPECIAL HAZARDS : Infected laboratory animals.
 

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS : Biosafety level 2 practices, containment equipment and facilities for activities with clinical materials known or potentially infected and cultures; animals biosafety level 2 facilities and practices.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING : Laboratory coat; gloves when contact with infected materials is unavoidable.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS : Good personal hygiene and frequent handwashing.
 

SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towels and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite (20% commercial bleach), starting at perimeter and working towards the center; allow sufficient contact time (30 min.) before clean up.

DISPOSAL : Decontaminate before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration.

STORAGE : In sealed containers that are appropriately labeled.