Campylobacter

Campylobacter is a genus of Gram-negative, motile, spiral-shaped bacteria, with Campylobacter jejuni being the most common cause of human bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide [1]. These bacteria are primarily microaerophilic and are frequently found in the gastrointestinal tracts of wild and domestic animals, particularly poultry, which serve as the main reservoir for human infection [2]. In humans, infection typically occurs via the fecal-oral route through the consumption of contaminated food or water, leading to campylobacteriosis characterized by inflammatory, often bloody, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever [3]. While the infection is often self-limiting, it can lead to severe systemic complications or post-infectious autoimmune disorders such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is triggered by molecular mimicry between bacterial lipooligosaccharides and human nerve gangliosides [4]. Treatment usually involves supportive care, but severe or prolonged cases are managed with antibiotics like macrolides or fluoroquinolones, although rising antimicrobial resistance is a significant global health concern [5].

Other names

Campylobacter speciesCampylobacter spp.Campylobacter jejuniCampylobacter coli

Antibiotics targeting Campylobacter typically act by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis through binding to the 50S (macrolides) or 30S (tetracyclines, aminoglycosides) ribosomal subunits, or by inhibiting DNA replication through the inhibition of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV (fluoroquinolones) [3, 5].