Infantile acute diarrhea due to Campylobacter jejuni

• Published in: Revista medíca de Chile Vol. 115; no. 1; pp. 19 - 23
• Main Authors: Soza, G, Ossa, G A, Illesca, V B, Reydet, P B, Inostroza, J S, Rodriguez, J T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.1987
• Subjects: Campylobacter jejuni
• ISSN: 0034-9887

Sixty four hospitalized infants with acute diarrheal disease between January-April 1985 were studied in search of Campylobacter jejuni and other enteropathogens. Direct films of stool (fucsin stain) and culture by skirrow modified medium with microaerofilic environment at 43 degree C (Gas Pack far) were made for Campylobacter . Classic enteropathogens were studied following directions given by the "Instituto de Salud Publica". Rotavirus was detected by latex agglutination test (Rotalex Orion Dg). The control group was made up of 25 healthy infants of similar socio-economic status. Nine out of 64 infants had cultures positive for Campylobacter (14,1%), ranking in third place in incidence after EPEC (18,7%) and Rotavirus (15,6%), but before Shigella (4,7%). In 7 out of the 9 cases, the organism was seen in the direct film of the stool. Only one case had a positive culture in the control group. Clinical and epidemiological aspects are discussed. The smear diagnosis proved to be an inexpensive and sensitive procedure.