Pediatr Infect Vaccine.  2019 Apr;26(1):22-31. 10.14776/piv.2019.26.e3.

Campylobacter Enteritis: Clinical Features and Laboratory Findings in Children Treated at a Single Hospital

• Jang WT
• Jo NH
• Song MO
• Eun BW
• Ahn YM

• KMID: 2443162
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14776/piv.2019.26.e3

Abstract

PURPOSE
Campylobacter species are common causes of bacterial enteritis. There is limited knowledge on its prevalence and clinical features because of its fastidious culture conditions. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical features of Campylobacter enteritis in children.
METHODS
We obtained stool specimens from patients diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis in the Department of Pediatrics, Nowon Eulji Medical Center (NEMC) and identified the pathogens by performing cultures or polymerase chain reactions (PCR). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with Campylobacter enteritis at NEMC between January 2012 and December 2017.
RESULTS
Overall, 123 patients were diagnosed with Campylobacter enteritis (60 by culture and PCR in EnterNet and 110 by multiplex PCR). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of patients was 12 years (IQR, 8 to 16 years). The disease occurred all year round, but 69.9% from June to September. Symptoms included diarrhea (97.6%), fever (96.7%), abdominal pain (94.3%), vomiting (37.4%), and headache (34.1%). Compared with other treatments, treatment with azithromycin was associated with a shorter hospitalization period (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Campylobacter enteritis is common during summer and mostly infects adolescent patients. It causes severe abdominal pain and fever preceding the onset of diarrhea. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate use of antibiotics reduces the duration of the disease.

Keyword

Campylobacter; Enteritis; Azithromycin

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Adolescent
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Azithromycin
Campylobacter*
Child*
Diagnosis
Diarrhea
Enteritis*
Fever
Gastroenteritis
Headache
Hospitalization
Humans
Medical Records
Pediatrics
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies
Vomiting
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Azithromycin

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Monthly distribution of Campylobacter enteritis cases. *Temperature means the monthly average temperature of Seoul for 6 years (2012–2017).

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