Campylobacter infections in the United States. Results of an 11-state surveillance.

In January 1982, 11 states (Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin) began reporting monthly their isolations of Campylobacter to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. The information reported included the species of Campylobacter organisms, the week of the report, the site from which the organism was isolated, and the age and sex of the infected person. A total of 3,966 isolates were reported in 1982, of which 3,900 were Campylobacter jejuni. Campylobacter isolations exceeded Salmonella in two of the three states (Oregon and Wisconsin) that require reporting. The eight other states with lower rates of isolation had variable reporting practices. Rates of Campylobacter isolations were highest in June through August. Age-specific rates of Campylobacter infections peaked in the 1- to 2-year and 20- to 29-year age groups. Fifty-five percent of all isolates were from male patients. Campylobacter infections seem to be at least as common as Salmonella infections in states in which the reporting practices are comparable.