Campylobacter Biofilms: Potential of Natural Compounds to Disrupt Campylobacter jejuni Transmission.

Microbial biofilms occur naturally in many environmental niches and can be a significant reservoir of infectious microbes in zoonotically transmitted diseases such as that caused by Campylobacter jejuni, the leading cause of acute human bacterial gastroenteritis world-wide. The greatest challenge in reducing the disease caused by this organism is reducing transmission of C. jejuni to humans from poultry via the food chain. Biofilms enhance the stress tolerance and antimicrobial resistance of the microorganisms they harbor and are considered to play a crucial role for Campylobacter spp. survival and transmission to humans. Unconventional approaches to control biofilms and to improve the efficacy of currently used antibiotics are urgently needed. This review summarizes the use plant- and microorganism-derived antimicrobial and antibiofilm compounds such as essential oils, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), polyphenolic extracts, algae extracts, probiotic-derived factors, d-amino acids (DAs) and glycolipid biosurfactants with potential to control biofilms formed by Campylobacter, and the suggested mechanisms of their action. Further investigation and use of such natural compounds could improve preventative and remedial strategies aimed to limit the transmission of campylobacters and other human pathogens via the food chain.

Epidemiological and Genomic Characterization of Campylobacter jejuni Isolates from a Foodborne Outbreak at Hangzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: Foodborne outbreaks caused by Campylobacter jejuni have become a significant public health problem worldwide. Applying genomic sequencing as a routine part of foodborne outbreak investigation remains in its infancy in China. We applied both traditional PFGE profiling and genomic investigation to understand the cause of a foodborne outbreak in Hangzhou in December 2018. METHOD: A total of 43 fecal samples, including 27 sick patients and 16 canteen employees from a high school in Hangzhou city in Zhejiang province, were recruited. Routine real-time fluorescent PCR assays were used for scanning the potential infectious agents, including viral pathogens (norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus), and bacterial pathogens (Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter jejuni, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio cholerae). Bacterial selection medium was used to isolate and identify the positive bacteria identified by molecular test. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and next generation sequencing (NGS) were applied to fifteen recovered C. jejuni isolates to further understand the case linkage of this particular outbreak. Additionally, we retrieved reference genomes from the NCBI database and performed a comparative genomics analysis with the examined genomes produced in this study. RESULTS: The analyzed samples were found to be negative for the queried viruses. Additionally, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio cholera were not detected. Fifteen C. jejuni strains were identified by the real-time PCR assay and bacterial selection medium. These C. jejuni strains were classified into two genetic profiles defined by the PFGE. Out of fifteen C. jejuni strains, fourteen have a unified consistent genotype belonging to ST2988, and the other strain belongs to ST8149, with a 66.7% similarity in comparison with the rest of the strains. Moreover, all fifteen strains harbored blaOXA-61 and tet(O), in addition to a chromosomal mutation in gyrA (T86I). The examined fourteen strains of ST2988 from CC354 clone group have very minimal genetic difference (3~66 SNPs), demonstrated by the phylogenomic investigation. CONCLUSION: Both genomic investigation and PFGE profiling confirmed that C. jejuni ST2988, a new derivative from CC354, was responsible for the foodborne outbreak Illustrated in this study.

Campylobacter coli outbreak in men who have sex with men, Quebec, Canada, 2010-2011.

During September 2010-November 2011, a cluster of erythromycin-susceptible, tetracycline- and ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter coli pulsovar 1 infections was documented, involving 10 case-patients, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The findings suggested sexual transmission of an enteric infection among men who have sex with men.

[Molecular investigation of relatedness of Campylobacter coli isolated from child with campylobacteriosis and healthy, household dog]. / Zastosowanie metod genotypowych w dochodzeniu pokrewienstwa izolatów paleczek Campylobacter coli wyhodowanych od chorego dziecka oraz od psa.

Thermotolerant species of Campylobacter (mainly C. jejuni and C. coli) are among the most frequently isolated bacterial agents of gastroenteritis in many developed countries. C. coli is less prevalent than C. jejuni. The main reservoir of C. coli is swine, however this pathogen may also be found in poultry, cattle and pets. Genotypic methods have successfully been applied to the subtyping of Campylobacter species in epidemiological investigation. In the present study we report a case of isolation of C. coli from 5-month old child and 2-year old heathy dog (Yorkshire Terrier). C. coli isolates were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with SmaI and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence PCR (ERIC-PCR) for establishing genetic relationships of the strains. The molecular fingerprints of these isolates were compared with the patterns of four C. coli epidemiologically unrelated isolates obtained from humans with diarrhea from the same region. The child and the dog shared the same strain, which were indistinguishable by PFGE and ERIC-PCR. This may argue for the transmission of C. coli between household dog and human. Our results may also support previous findings that direct contact with infected pets may play an important role in the development of campylobacteriosis in humans.

Species diversity of campylobacteria in a wild bird community in Sweden.

AIMS: To analyse the occurrence and host species distribution of campylobacteria species in shorebirds, geese and cattle on grazed coastal meadows in Sweden. METHODS AND RESULTS: Species identification was performed through a polyphasic approach, incorporating Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) profiling, 16S RNA gene sequence analysis together with extensive phenotypic characterization. From 247 sampled birds and 71 cattle, we retrieved 113 urease positive thermophilic Campylobacter (UPTC) and 16 Campylobacter jejuni ssp. jejuni isolates. Furthermore, 18 isolates of Helicobacter canadensis, and five isolates that potentially represent a new genus of micro-aerophilic, spiral and Gram-negative bacteria were isolated. The distribution of bacterial species on hosts was uneven: all H. canadensis isolates were retrieved from geese, while all but one of the Campylobacter lari UPTC isolates were found in shorebirds. AFLP type distribution of Camp. lari UPTC isolates among individual, resampled and breeding-paired Redshank birds generally indicated a constant shift in strain populations over time and absence of geographical clustering. CONCLUSIONS: The large number of isolated campylobacteria, including species that are zoonotic enteropathogens, indicates that these wild birds potentially may serve as reservoirs of human infections. However, despite a common environment, the different host species largely carried their own campylobacteria populations, indicating that cross-species transmission is rare. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our study is one of few that provide data on the occurrence of campylobacteria in wild animals, adding information on the ecology and epidemiology of micro-organisms that are of public health concern.

Efficacy of iron chelators on Campylobacter concentrations in turkey semen.

Campylobacter is a leading bacterial cause of human foodborne infections in the United States. Recent studies suggest that the organism is highly prevalent in poultry semen and may contribute to vertical transmission between the breeder hen and offspring. Because Campylobacter requires iron for its growth and survival, the objective of this study was to determine if the addition of natural and synthetic chelators such as ovotransferrin, desferrioxaime, EDTA, or 2,2'-dipyridyl could reduce or eliminate Campylobacter in turkey semen. In a preliminary study without semen, a commercial poultry semen extender was supplemented with various concentrations of ovotransferrin, desferrioxaime, EDTA, or 2,2'-dipyridyl and inoculated with an average of 10(8) cfu/mL of a wild-type Campylobacter coli turkey semen isolate. At 6 and 24 h of storage at 4 degrees C, a sample was taken from each treatment group and enumerated for Campylobacter. In all 3 trials, Campylobacter was undetectable (< 10(2)) in the commercial poultry semen extender supplemented with 20 mg/mL of 2,2'-dipyridyl. There were no differences observed in Campylobacter concentrations in the commercial poultry semen extender supplemented with ovotransferrin, desferrioxaime, or EDTA compared with unsupplemented controls. In a follow-up study, pooled semen samples were randomly collected from toms, diluted with a commercial poultry semen extender supplemented with 5, 10, or 20 mg/mL of 2,2'-dipyridyl and inoculated with an average of 10(8) cfu/mL of a wild-type C. coli turkey semen isolate. At 6 and 24 h of storage at 4 degrees C, samples were taken from each treatment group, enumerated for Campylobacter, and evaluated for sperm viability. In all 3 trials, supplementing the commercial poultry semen extender with 20 mg/mL of 2,2'-dipyryidyl significantly reduced (3 to 4 logs) Campylobacter concentrations when compared with the positive controls. Sperm viability was also reduced with this treatment, and, therefore, the use of 2,2'-dipyridyl may not be a practical treatment for reducing Campylobacter in poultry semen.

Campylobacter fetus of reptile origin as a human pathogen.

A Campylobacter species was isolated from blood from a febrile patient with precursor T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and after antibiotic treatment, a similar bacterium was isolated from blood 37 days later. Although phenotypic testing did not definitively identify the organisms, molecular analysis indicated that they were the same strain of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus and were of reptile origin.

The role of litter beetles as potential reservoir for Salmonella enterica and thermophilic Campylobacter spp. between broiler flocks.

We evaluated the role of beetles infesting broiler chicken rearing facilities as potential reservoirs for Salmonella enterica infections between successive broiler flocks. In addition, their role as potential reservoirs for thermophilic Campylobacter spp. was also investigated. Fourteen broiler houses located at 11 different farms were included in the study. The houses were nonrandomly selected on the basis of their salmonella status; nine were persistently contaminated with salmonella whereas five were salmonella negative. For each broiler house, two consecutive broiler flocks (i.e., 28 broiler flocks in all) as well as beetles collected during both rotations of production and in the empty period (after cleaning and disinfection) between these flocks were monitored for the presence of salmonella. Examinations for the presence of campylobacter in the same sample materials were also performed. Beetles sampled during production were positive for salmonella or campylobacter or both. Furthermore, in one house, the occurrence of Salmonella indiana in two consecutive broiler flocks coincided with the presence of S. indiana-contaminated beetles in the empty period between the flocks. The genotype of the identified S. indiana was in all cases identical when analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. However, our results also suggest that salmonella from beetles may not always be transmitted to the chickens and that beetles living in contaminated houses can remain free of infection. All cases of campylobacter-positive beetle samples were detected in connection with a positive chicken flock; in no case was campylobacter isolated from beetles taken from the empty period between rotations. Four beetle species were identified during this study. Alphitobius diaperinus was found in all houses and was relatively abundant in most. Typhaea stercorea and Ahasverus advena were found in eight and nine houses, respectively, and were abundant in most of these. Carcinops pumilio was found in small numbers in eight houses. No other insect species was identified. These investigations have shown that beetles in broiler houses infrequently are positive for salmonella. However, transmission of S. indiana between two consecutive broiler flocks can coincide with the presence of salmonella-contaminated beetles in the empty period, indicating that the beetles were the reservoir of S. indiana between the two flocks. Concerning campylobacter, the results suggest that beetles do not play a significant role as a reservoir of campylobacter from one rotation to the next.

Aborto de 2º trimestre y campylobacter jejuni / Abort of second trimester and campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni es agente frecuente de infecciones entéricas en todo el mundo. Ocasionalmente puede producir aborto en la mujer. Tiene un mecanismo de transmisión fecal-oral. Posee características de cultivo exigentes y requiere para su aislamiento incubación prolongada. La infección por este microorganismo en Chile es infrecuente y no representa un problema de Salud Pública, no obstante se comunica este caso clínico por las consecuencias que tiene en la gestación. Además se recuerdan las medidas a tomar frente a cuadro febril que aparece durante el embarazo

Campylobacter intestinal carriage among stray and pet dogs

Foi estudada a distribuiçäo natural de espécies termotolerantes de Campylobacter em 159 cäes vadios e em 64 cäes de companhia em confinamento permanente. Espécies de Campylobacter foram isoladas mais freqüentemente (p<0,01) dos cäes vadios (51,3 por cento) do que dos cäes de companhia (21,9 por cento). Todos os biotipos descritos por Lior para C.jejuni e C.coli foram encontrados entre as amostras isoladas dos cäes vadios. Nas amostras isoladas dos cäes mantidos em confinamento permanente somente foram encontrados os biotipos I e II de C.jejuni e o biotipo II do C.coli. Salienta-se a necessidade de realizar outros estudos para estabelecer o relaçäo entre as condiçöes de saneamento ambiental e a disseminaçäo das espécies termotolerantes de Campylobacter

Patient-to-patient transmission of Campylobacter pylori infection by fiberoptic gastroduodenoscopy and biopsy.

Three instances of subclinical reinfection with Campylobacter pylori were observed in two successfully treated patients during follow-up of C. pylori gastritis. The reinfections occurred 1 month and 21 months (patient 1) and 32 months (patient 2) after the completion of antibacterial treatment. Sequential measurement by ELISA of serum IgG antibody levels to the microorganism showed a significant increase in two of the three instances of reinfection. Patient-to-patient transmission was proved by restriction enzyme analysis of bacterial DNA. Between patients the endoscope had been mechanically cleaned using a detergent and treated with 70% ethanol. The risk of gastroscopic cross-infection with C. pylori was estimated by retrospective analysis of the data of 281 negative examinations (107 in 47 initially negative patients and 174 in 37 cured patients). The frequency in uninfected patients of documented endoscopic transmission of C. pylori infection was 1.1% in this study, corresponding with three iatrogenic acquisitions of manifest infection for every 1000 gastroduodenoscopies in our clinic.

Intrafamilial clustering of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Colonization of the gastric antrum by Helicobacter pylori (formerly Campylobacter pylori) has been associated with primary gastritis. We determined the frequency of colonization by H. pylori in gastric-antrum biopsy specimens from 93 children undergoing gastroscopy for the evaluation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. We also determined H. pylori IgG antibody levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in coded serum samples from these children, family members, and control subjects of comparable ages. Among 27 children with primary, or unexplained, gastritis, H. pylori was identified by silver staining in 24 biopsy specimens and by culture in 22; specific antibodies were present in 23 children (96 percent). Three children with unexplained gastritis had no evidence of H. pylori in the antrum, nor did any of 13 children with secondary gastritis or any of 53 children with normal antral histologic features; specific antibodies were present in only 1 of these 69 children. H. pylori antibody was detected in 25 of 34 parents of colonized children, but in only 8 of 33 parents of noncolonized children (P less than 0.001). Of 22 siblings of children colonized by H. pylori, 18 had specific antibodies, as compared with only 5 of 37 controls (P less than 0.001). We conclude that H. pylori-specific IgG antibodies are associated with bacterial colonization of the gastric antrum by this organism. The intrafamilial clustering of H. pylori infection suggests that there may be person-to-person spread of these bacteria.

Routine cleaning and the elimination of Campylobacter pylori from endoscopic biopsy forceps.

The effect of routine cleaning in removing Campylobacter pylori from the biopsy forceps of endoscopes has been examined in a series of 50 patients. Campylobacter pylori was isolated from the biopsies of 15 of the patients, while one of the 50 biopsy forceps washings yielded the organism after routine cleaning. This study suggests that there is a small chance of transmitting C. pylori by endoscopic equipment if cleaning is the only method of decontamination adopted.

Human infections derived from dogs.

Infected dogs, including those that appear healthy, have been implicated in the genesis of certain infectious disorders in humans. Failure to appreciate the epidemiologic features of these infections can result in delayed diagnosis and therapy, with occasional fatal results. Efforts directed toward patient education, frequent veterinarian examinations of household pets, and thorough hand washing after animal contact will reduce the incidence of dog-related infections in humans.

Infections with Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter-like organisms in homosexual men.

In studies of the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms in homosexual men, Campylobacter jejuni was recovered from 10 of 158 men with, and 2 of 75 men without, intestinal symptoms. In addition, a heterogeneous group of Campylobacter-like organisms was identified in 26 symptomatic and 6 asymptomatic homosexual men, but in none of 150 heterosexual men and women. Infections with Campylobacter-like organisms, like infections with C. jejuni, were significantly associated with the sexual practice of anilinctus and were usually associated with diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and hematochezia; proctocolitis seen at sigmoidoscopy; increased numbers of leukocytes seen on rectal smears; acute inflammatory changes seen on rectal biopsy specimens; and a serum antibody response to the infecting organism.