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SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENTS
NAME: Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, C. fetus subsp. fetus.
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Campylobacter Enteritis, Vibrionic Enteritis, Traveler's Diarrhea.
CHARACTERISTICS: Gram negative spiral and S-shaped bacteria; darting motility; grown best under reduced
oxygen tension.
SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD
PATHOGENICITY: Acute enteric disease of variable severity; diarrhea, abdominal pain, malaise, fever,
nausea and vomiting; prolonged illness in up to 20% of patients; blood in association with mucus and WBCs present
in liquid of foul smelling stools; typhoidal-type syndrome, arthritis are rare.
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Important cause of diarrheal illness worldwide in all age groups (5-14% of diarrhea in world);
common source outbreaks most often associated with foods, unpasteurized milk and unchlorinated water; largest number
of temperate cases in warmer months.
HOST RANGE: Humans, animals and birds.
INFECTIOUS DOSE: 500 organisms or less (ingestion).
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By ingestion of organisms in food, unpasteurized milk, or water; contact with infected
pets (puppies and kittens), wild animals or infected infants. Possible cross-contamination from these sources to
foods that are eaten uncooked or poorly refrigerated.
INCUBATION PERIOD: 3-5 days, with a range of 1-10 days.
COMMUNICABILITY: Communicable throughout course of infection; individuals not treated with antibiotics excrete
organisms for as long as 2-7 weeks; chronic carrier state is unusual.
SECTION III - DISSEMINATION
RESERVOIR: Animals: swine, cattle, sheep, birds (including poultry), rodents, cats, dogs and other pets.
ZOONOSIS: Yes - chronic carrier state established; animals constitute primary source of infection.
VECTORS: None
SECTION IV - VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to erythromycin, tetracyclines and aminoglycosides.
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants - 1% sodium hypochlorite (20% commercial
bleach), 70% ethanol, 2% glutaraldehyde, iodines, phenolics, formaldehyde.
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to moist heat (121o C for at least 15 min.) and dim heat (160o
- 170o C for at least 1 hour).
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Feces - up to 9 days; milk - 3 days; glass slides - 24 hours-, water - 2 to 5 days.
SECTION V - MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirmation by stool culture.
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Rehydration and electrolyte replacement; short antibiotic course for severe or prolonged
illness.
IMMUNIZATION: None
PROPHYLAXIS: Not usually administered.
SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 1 reported laboratory acquired infection.
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Feces, blood.
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Ingestion, parenteral inoculation.
SPECIAL HAZARDS: Infected laboratory animals.
SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices, containment equipment and facilities for activities
with clinical materials known or potentially infected and cultures; animals biosafety level 2 facilities and practices.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when contact with Infected materials is unavoidable.
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Good personal hygiene and frequent hand washing.
SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towels and
apply 1% sodium hypochlorite (20% commercial bleach), starting at perimeter and working towards the center; allow
sufficient contact time (30 min.) before clean up.
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration.
STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labeled.
Date prepared: October 11, 1997 Prepared by: Canadian Office of Biosafety Information edited by the Colorado State
University Office of Biosafety; June 16, 1998.
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