A survey of Campylobacter bacteremia in three Danish counties, 1989 to 1994.
Over a 5-year period (April 1989 to March 1994) bacteremia caused by Campylobacter species was diagnosed in 15 patients in a population of 1.3 million in three counties in Jutland province, Denmark. The incidence was 0.2/100,000/year and the ratio of blood to fecal isolates, was 0.008. Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni accounted for 6 cases each, Campylobacter fetus for 2, and in 1 case the species diagnosis was uncertain. Seven patients were males and 8 females; median age was 42 (range 15-90) years. 11 patients had underlying disorders, including immunological, neoplastic and vascular disease. In a 67-year-old man a Starr-Edwards prosthesis of the aortic valve was probably infected by C. fetus, as recurrent bacteremia resolved following valve replacement. Eight patients had pyrexia and diarrhea, whereas 7 had pyrexia with only slight intestinal discomfort or none at all. In 4 patients the bacteremia was associated with cutaneous cellulitis or vasculitis. 14 of 15 patients survived. Campylobacter bacteremia seems to be more common in Denmark than hitherto thought.
Schønheyder
H C
HC
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aalborg Hospital, Denmark.
Søgaard
P
P
Frederiksen
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003625:Data Collection; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged