Risk factors for acquiring sporadic Campylobacter infection in France: results from a national case-control study.
BACKGROUND
To better document the risk factors for sporadic Campylobacter infection in France, we conducted a national case-control study from September 2002 to June 2004.


METHODS
Cases with confirmed Campylobacter infection were sampled through the national surveillance laboratory network. Cases and controls who were matched for age, as well as attending physicians, were interviewed about foods consumed, food preparation practices, travel history, contact with cases and animals during the 8 days before the onset of infection, and any antibiotic use occurring during the 30 days before onset. Matched odds ratios [ORs] were calculated using conditional logistic regression and multiple imputation methods.


RESULTS
A total of 285 pairs of cases and matched controls were enrolled. "Ate undercooked beef" (OR, 2.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-4.95), "ate at restaurant" (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.23-3.93), and "poor utensils hygiene in the kitchen" (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.33-3.37) were the main independent risk factors for infection. Cases infected with a ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter jejuni strain were more likely than controls to have used antibiotics in the month before onset.


CONCLUSIONS
Good hygiene practices in the kitchen remain a strong recommendation to avoid cross-contamination. However, studies are needed to explore the mechanism of contamination throughout the food chain. The use of antibiotics in humans may favor the development of a resistant infection.
Gallay
Anne
A
Département Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Veille Sanitaire, Saint-Maurice, France. a.gallay@invs.sante.fr
Bousquet
Vanina
V
Siret
Virginie
V
Prouzet-Mauléon
Valérie
V
Valk
Henriette de
Hd
Vaillant
Véronique
V
Simon
Fernando
F
Le Strat
Yann
Y
Mégraud
Francis
F
Desenclos
Jean-Claude
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin