Campylobacter jejuni among patients with gastroenteritis: incidence at a reference microbiology laboratory in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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.
López Ortiz
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College of Health Related Professions, Medical Technology Program, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936-5067, USA. wilmalopez@cprs.rcm.upr.edu
Soliván
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D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons