The anamnesis (clinical interview carried out by the doctor about the patient’s symptoms) and the presence of symptoms compatible with a Campylobacter infection are necessary requirements to carry out a first diagnostic approach to the disease.
Physical examination is usually not very useful, since it varies greatly from one patient to another and there are usually no characteristic signs that suggest a Campylobacter infection.
In the blood test abnormalities may occur that help to suspect Campylobacter infection (increased white blood cells, alterations of ions or blood pH if there is a lot of dehydration).
In the microscopic examination of stool can be observed red blood cells and white blood cells. The definitive diagnosis of Campylobacter infection is performed with the stool (culturing the feces of the infected patient demonstrating the growth of the microorganism).
If bacteremia is suspected (the bacteria pass into the blood) it is necessary to request blood cultures , to try to demonstrate the presence of these in the bloodstream.
Campylobacter infection treatment
As in all diarrheas, in the treatment of Campylobacter infection it is essential to ensure adequate hydration during the acute phase of the disease, requiring fluid and electrolyte replacement to compensate for the losses suffered. Hydration by mouth using oral rehydration sera or drinks with salts is always preferable, but in those cases in which there is a great affectation of the general state, the replacement of liquids and ions will be carried out intravenously.
Regarding diet, once less than 3-4 stools are made per day, a solid diet should be gradually introduced , in small amounts, to check that there is a good tolerance to it. Astringent foods such as rice, potatoes, toast, cooked or grilled poultry, cooked fish or some soups should be consumed . Avoid other types of food such as milk or its derivatives (although plain yogurt and fresh cheeses can be tolerated as improvement occurs), sweets, fruits and some raw vegetables, some nuts or soft drinks . Also, avoid consuming foods that contain a lot of fats or other products such as spices or hot.
The antibiotic treatment of Campylobacter can be avoided in most patients, although it is true that can reduce the symptoms and shorten the fecal excretion of microorganisms. The most widely used antimicrobials in our environment are erythromycin and azithromycin . It is advisable to treat antibiotics to those very symptomatic patients (high fever, bloody diarrhea, those who make more than 6-8 stools in the same day …), children under six years of age, the elderly and immunosuppressed patients (regardless of severity from the table).
If bacteremia is suspected, other antibiotics such as gentamicin are used. The duration of treatment is variable, from several days in the case of enteritis to several weeks if bacteremia or infections in other locations are suspected.
The prognosis of Campylobacter infection is very good for most patients, who recover in a period ranging from five to 10 days, although in risk patients (young children, the elderly and immunosuppressed) there may be a higher number of complications. In fact, a Campylobacter infection in these patients can even cause death.
Campylobacter infection treatment
As in all diarrheas, in the treatment of Campylobacter infection it is essential to ensure adequate hydration during the acute phase of the disease, requiring fluid and electrolyte replacement to compensate for the losses suffered. Hydration by mouth using oral rehydration sera or drinks with salts is always preferable, but in those cases in which there is a great affectation of the general state, the replacement of liquids and ions will be carried out intravenously.
Regarding diet, once less than 3-4 stools are made per day, a solid diet should be gradually introduced , in small amounts, to check that there is a good tolerance to it. Astringent foods such as rice, potatoes, toast, cooked or grilled poultry, cooked fish or some soups should be consumed . Avoid other types of food such as milk or its derivatives (although plain yogurt and fresh cheeses can be tolerated as improvement occurs), sweets, fruits and some raw vegetables, some nuts or soft drinks . Also, avoid consuming foods that contain a lot of fats or other products such as spices or hot.
The antibiotic treatment of Campylobacter can be avoided in most patients, although it is true that can reduce the symptoms and shorten the fecal excretion of microorganisms. The most widely used antimicrobials in our environment are erythromycin and azithromycin . It is advisable to treat antibiotics to those very symptomatic patients (high fever, bloody diarrhea, those who make more than 6-8 stools in the same day …), children under six years of age, the elderly and immunosuppressed patients (regardless of severity from the table).
If bacteremia is suspected, other antibiotics such as gentamicin are used. The duration of treatment is variable, from several days in the case of enteritis to several weeks if bacteremia or infections in other locations are suspected.
The prognosis of Campylobacter infection is very good for most patients, who recover in a period ranging from five to 10 days, although in risk patients (young children, the elderly and immunosuppressed) there may be a higher number of complications. In fact, a Campylobacter infection in these patients can even cause death.
Prevention of Campylobacter infection
o prevent Campylobacter infections, it is essential to exercise basic hygiene practices , both personally and at the food level when preparing meals, in order to avoid food poisoning .
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Some preventive measures to follow would be the following:
- Wash your hands carefully several times a day, especially before food handling and preparation, before meals or after going to the service. Proper handwashing with soap is one of the most effective prevention measures in all age groups.
- Disinfect objects that may be contaminated by infected feces (this includes disinfecting toilets after they have been used by people infected with Campylobacter).
- Control the management of excretions rigorously. The diapers of infected children should be thrown in the trash in a sealed bag, and the area where the diaper has been changed should be properly cleaned with disinfectant products. In addition, when a school-age child is infected, it is important to promote a series of hygienic-sanitary measures in the nursery to avoid spreading it to other children. These measures are extensible for elderly patients admitted to nursing homes.
- It monitors the different stages of the food chain (production, processing and preparation of food).
- Cooking or pasteurizing contaminated food , since heat destroys bacteria (bactericidal action).
- Try to manage wastewater in the best possible way (in less developed countries), to avoid its use for irrigation of crop fields or for consumption.
- Do not drink water from rivers or other areas near pasture areas, as there is a greater risk of it being contaminated.
- Avoid consuming raw milk and products made from it (i.e. drink only pasteurized or previously boiled milk).
