Campylobacter

Campylobacter (meaning "curved bacteria") is a genus of Gram-negative, microaerophilic, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, nonfermentative bacteria. Campylobacter species are typically spiral-shaped and able to move via unipolar or bipolar flagella. Most Campylobacter species are cause for disease and can infect humans and other animals. The bacterium's main reservoir is poultry; humans can contract the disease from contaminated food. Another source of infection is contact with infected animals such as kittens and puppies; most colonized animals -including chickens- develop a lifelong carrier state. At least a dozen species of Campylobacter have been implicated in human disease, with C. jejuni and C. coli being the most common. C. jejuni is now recognized as one of the main causes of bacterial foodborne disease in many developed countries. C. jejuni infection can also result in serious bacteremia in individuals with AIDS, while C. lari is a known cause of recurrent diarrhea in children. C. fetus is a cause of spontaneous abortions in cattle and sheep, as well as an opportunistic pathogen in humans.