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Wednesday, October 10, 2007

WHO | Campylobacter

I'm digging into the Ari Jääskeläinen study and extending its meaning for the developing countries with poor water quality and sanitation.

WHO | Campylobacter: "Campylobacters are bacteria that are a major cause of diarrhoeal illness in humans and are generally regarded as the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. In developed and developing countries, they cause more cases of diarrhoea than, for example, foodborne Salmonella bacteria.

In developing countries, Campylobacter infections in children under the age of two years are especially frequent, sometimes resulting in death. In almost all developed countries, the incidence of human campylobacter infections has been steadily increasing for several years. The reasons for this are unknown.

Campylobacters are mainly spiral-shaped, S-shaped or curved, rod-shaped bacteria. There are 16 species and six subspecies assigned to the genus Campylobacter, of which the most frequently reported in human disease are C. jejuni (subspecies jejuni) and C. coli. C. laridis and C. upsaliensis are also regarded as primary pathogens, but are generally reported far less frequently in cases of human disease.

Most species prefer a micro-aerobic (containing 3-10% oxygen) atmosphere for growth. A few species tend to favour an anaerobic environment, although they will grow under micro-aerobic conditions also."

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