W López Ortiz1, R A Soliván. 1. College of Health Related Professions, Medical Technology Program, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936-5067, USA. wilmalopez@cprs.rcm.upr.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: A study designed to evaluate the incidence of Campylobacter jejuni infection among patients with gastroenteritis referred to a Microbiology Laboratory in San Juan was conducted from December 1998 through May 1999. BACKGROUND: Campylobacter jejuni is recognized around the world as one of the principal causes of gastroenteritis. A specific serotype of this organism has been recently mentioned as a major pathogen preceding Guillain-Barrè syndrome. Establishing incidence of Campylobacter jejuni infection is important in order to develop uniform guidelines for clinical laboratories; whether to attempt isolation of this pathogen from all stool samples, or to perform the special procedures only when it is specifically requested by the attending physician. METHODS: In this study, stool samples received at the Microbiology Department of a Reference Laboratory in San Juan, with clear signs of gastroenteritis (i.e. bloody and/or liquid stools) were selected for Campylobacter culture. Samples were fresh rectal swabs, liquid stools or previously inoculated Campylobacter thioglycollate broth. Stools were inoculated directly to the agar, either by using a swab or alternately 1-2 drops of liquid stools, or of the previously inoculated Campylobacter thioglycollate broth. Plates were incubated for 72 hrs. at 42 degrees C in a microaerophilic atmosphere (Beckton Dickinson, BBL Campy Pouch). RESULTS: Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 3/98 (3.0%) of the samples tested; two of which were cultured as specifically requested by the patient's physician. One isolate was obtained from a sample with no specific request for Campylobacter culture. Enteropathogens other than Campylobacter jejuni were isolated from 18/380 (4.7%) of routinely cultured samples. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a small increment in Campylobacter jejuni isolation when testing samples with no specific request for Campylobacter culture. Campylobacter jejuni incidence was second to Salmonella species.
OBJECTIVE: A study designed to evaluate the incidence of Campylobacter jejuni infection among patients with gastroenteritis referred to a Microbiology Laboratory in San Juan was conducted from December 1998 through May 1999. BACKGROUND:Campylobacter jejuni is recognized around the world as one of the principal causes of gastroenteritis. A specific serotype of this organism has been recently mentioned as a major pathogen preceding Guillain-Barrè syndrome. Establishing incidence of Campylobacter jejuni infection is important in order to develop uniform guidelines for clinical laboratories; whether to attempt isolation of this pathogen from all stool samples, or to perform the special procedures only when it is specifically requested by the attending physician. METHODS: In this study, stool samples received at the Microbiology Department of a Reference Laboratory in San Juan, with clear signs of gastroenteritis (i.e. bloody and/or liquid stools) were selected for Campylobacter culture. Samples were fresh rectal swabs, liquid stools or previously inoculated Campylobacter thioglycollate broth. Stools were inoculated directly to the agar, either by using a swab or alternately 1-2 drops of liquid stools, or of the previously inoculated Campylobacter thioglycollate broth. Plates were incubated for 72 hrs. at 42 degrees C in a microaerophilic atmosphere (Beckton Dickinson, BBL Campy Pouch). RESULTS:Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 3/98 (3.0%) of the samples tested; two of which were cultured as specifically requested by the patient's physician. One isolate was obtained from a sample with no specific request for Campylobacter culture. Enteropathogens other than Campylobacter jejuni were isolated from 18/380 (4.7%) of routinely cultured samples. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a small increment in Campylobacter jejuni isolation when testing samples with no specific request for Campylobacter culture. Campylobacter jejuni incidence was second to Salmonella species.
Authors: Hubert P Endtz; Hanneke van West; Peggy C R Godschalk; Lidewij de Haan; Yaskara Halabi; Nicole van den Braak; Barbara I Kesztyüs; Ewald Leyde; Alewijn Ott; Roel Verkooyen; Lawrence J Price; David L Woodward; Frank G Rodgers; C Wim Ang; Rinske van Koningsveld; Alex van Belkum; Izzy Gerstenbluth Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2003-12 Impact factor: 5.948