SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENTSNAME: 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.