The second century of Campylobacter research: recent advances, new opportunities and old problems.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and the importance of the disease, investigations into pathogenesis have been restricted because of the absence of a convenient animal model of disease. In particular it is still unclear how C. jejuni infection causes diarrhoea.


RESULTS
Recent developments in improved models of infection and studies on the innate immune responses have provided a deeper understanding of host-pathogen interactions. From the organism's perspective, further genomics-based information including two new genome sequences has provided much basic information, particularly relating to cell surface glycostructures.


CONCLUSIONS
Research over the last few years is starting to address the gaps in our knowledge of how this important human pathogen interacts with host cells and causes diarrhoeal disease. Further research is required for a detailed understanding of these interactions and also to develop intervention strategies to reduce the burden of C. jejuni-associated disease.
Dorrell
Nick
N
Department of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Wren
Brendan W
BW
D000818:Animals; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans