Campylobacter species

• Gram-negative bacillus that is a common cause of foodborne illness, especially associated with undercooked poultry

Background

Microbiology

• Oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, curved, Gram-negative bacillus
• Includes Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli

Management

• No antibiotics needed if stable
• If requiring antibiotics, use ciprofloxacin or azithomycin for 5 days, or clarithromycin for 7 days

Complications

• Guillian-Barré syndrome (GBS)
• MALT lymphoma