A population-based study of the appearances of enteric Campylobacter and non-typhoidal Salmonella infections on computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Swift identification and diagnosis of gastrointestinal infections are crucial for prompt treatment, prevention of complications, and reduction of the risk of hospital transmission. The radiological appearance on computed tomography could potentially provide important clues to the etiology of gastrointestinal infections. We aimed to describe features based on computed tomography of patients diagnosed with Campylobacter, Salmonella or Shigella infections in South Sweden. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational population-based cohort study conducted between 2019 and 2022 in Skåne, southern Sweden, a region populated by 1.4 million people. Using data from the Department of Clinical Microbiology combined with data from the Department of Radiology, we identified all patients who underwent computed tomography of the abdomen CTA two days before and up to seven days after sampling due to the suspicion of Campylobacter, Salmonella or Shigella during the study period. RESULTS: A total of 215 CTAs scans performed on 213 patients during the study period were included in the study. The median age of included patients was 45 years (range 11-86 years), and 54% (114/213) of the patients were women. Of the 215 CTAs, 80% (n = 172) had been performed due to Campylobacter and 20% (n = 43) due to Salmonella enteritis. CTA was not performed for any individual diagnosed with Shigella during the study period. There were no statistically significant differences in the radiological presentation of Campylobacter and Salmonella infections. CONCLUSION: The most common location of Campylobacter and Salmonella infections was the cecum, followed by the ascending colon. Enteric wall edema, contrast loading of the affected mucosa, and enteric fat stranding are typical features of both infections. The CTA characteristics of Campylobacter and Salmonella are similar, and cannot be used to reliably differentiate between different infectious etiologies.

Developing a selective culturing approach for Campylobacter hepaticus.

Campylobacter hepaticus, the causative agent of Spotty Liver Disease (SLD) is an important disease in cage-free egg producing chickens causing mortality and production drops. C. hepaticus is a slow growing Campylobacter easily overgrown by fecal bacteria. It is currently only reliably isolatable from bile samples. A selective media for isolation from feces or environment would assist diagnosis and impact assessment. Growth of five Australian C. hepaticus isolates was studied using Horse blood agar (HBA), sheep blood agar (SBA), Bolton, Preston and Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) base media. Blood and/or bile were added to Bolton, Preston and BHI medias. C. jejuni was used as a positive control. Plates were incubated in duplicate under microaerophilic conditions at 42°C for 10 days and examined at days 3-5 and 7-10 of incubation. Each isolate was examined for sensitivity to 14 antimicrobials using HBA sensitivity plates. Growth was inhibited by BHI and by added bile, while blood improved growth. Further replicates using SBA, HBA, Bolton and Preston media showed best growth on Bolton agar with blood. All five C. hepaticus isolates were resistant to trimethoprim and vancomycin, while four were also resistant to rifampicin and bacitracin. Media based upon Bolton plus blood supplemented with vancomycin and trimethoprim might be used as the most appropriate media for selective growth of C. hepaticus. The addition of bile to media for C. hepaticus isolation and growth will inhibit growth and is not advised.

Biochemical and molecular characterization of Campylobacter fetus isolates from bulls subjected to bovine genital campylobacteriosis diagnosis in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) is caused by Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv) including its biovar intermedius (Cfvi). This sexually transmitted disease induces early reproductive failure causing considerable economic losses in the cattle industry. Using a collection of well-characterized isolates (n = 13), C. fetus field isolates (n = 64) and saprophytic isolates resembling Campylobacter (n = 75) obtained from smegma samples of breeding bulls, this study evaluated the concordance of the most used phenotypic (H2S production in cysteine medium and 1% glycine tolerance) and molecular (PCR) methods for the diagnosis of BGC and assessed possible cross-reactions in the molecular diagnostic methods. RESULTS: Characterization at the subspecies level (fetus vs. venerealis) of C. fetus isolated from bull preputial samples using phenotypic and molecular (PCR targeting nahE and ISCfe1) methods showed moderate concordance (κ = 0.462; CI: 0.256-0.669). No cross-reactions were observed with other saprophytic microaerophilic species or with other Campylobacter species that can be present in preputial samples. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of discrepant isolates showed 100% agreement with PCR identification. For the differentiation of Cfv biovars, comparison of the H2S test (at 72 h and 5 days of incubation) and a PCR targeting the L-cysteine transporter genes showed higher concordance when H2S production was assessed after 5 days (72 h; κ = 0.553, 0.329-0.778 CI vs. 5 days; κ = 0.881, 0.631-1 CI), evidencing the efficacy of a longer incubation time. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the limitations of biochemical tests to correctly identify C. fetus subspecies and biovars. However, in the case of biovars, when extended incubation times for the H2S test (5 days) were used, phenotypic identification results were significantly improved, although PCR-based methods produced more accurate results. Perfect agreement of WGS with the PCR results and absence of cross-reactions with non-C. fetus saprophytic bacteria from the smegma demonstrated the usefulness of these methods. Nevertheless, the identification of new C. fetus subspecies-specific genes would help to improve BGC diagnosis.

Novel rpsK / rpsD primer-probe assay improves detection of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in human stool.

Campylobacter causes bacterial enteritis, dysentery, and growth faltering in children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Campylobacter spp. are fastidious organisms, and their detection often relies on culture independent diagnostic technologies, especially in LMICs. Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are most often the infectious agents and in high income settings together account for 95% of Campylobacter infections. Several other Campylobacter species have been detected in LMIC children at an increased prevalence relative to high income settings. After doing extensive whole genome sequencing of isolates of C. jejuni and C. coli in Peru, we observed heterogeneity in the binding sites for the main species-specific PCR assay (cadF) and designed an alternative rpsKD-based qPCR assay to detect both C. jejuni and C. coli. The rpsKD-based qPCR assay identified 23% more C.jejuni/ C.coli samples than the cadF assay among 47 Campylobacter genus positive cadF negative samples verified to have C. jejuni and or C. coli with shotgun metagenomics. This assay can be expected to be useful in diagnostic studies of enteric infectious diseases and be useful in revising the attribution estimates of Campylobacter in LMICs.

Bovine campylobacteriosis in heifer: pathogenesis study and insights in the conventional and molecular diagnosis in an experimental bovine model and field cases.

Campylobacter fetus spp. is a bacterium associated to reproductive losses in cattle worldwide. It is a venereal infectious disease known as bovine campilobacteriosis, with high impact mainly in countries with extensive production systems. Here, we show pathogenesis and diagnostic methods for Campylobacter fetus detection in cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM) samples from heifers experimentally infected and field cases from herds with low reproductive performance by campylobacteriosis infection. Bacterial culture, direct immunofluorescence test and qPCR were used as diagnostic methods to evaluate detection of C. fetus. In the experimental model 30 Aberdeen Angus and crossbred heifers and 4 Aberdeen Angus bulls for natural mating were assigned to 3 groups experimentally challenged with C. fetus subsp. fetus (Cff), C. fetus subsps venerealis (Cfv) and C. fetus subsp venerealis biovar intermedius (Cfvi), respectively, and a negative control group, all followed for 9 months. Also, field samples of CVM and aborted fetuses were recollected from seven beef cattle farms. Bacteriological culture had the higher C. fetus detection rate in CVM being the most appropriate, followed by qPCR (with commercial extraction DNA kit), direct immunofluorescence test and qPCR (with in-house extraction DNA method), in both, experimental model and field cases. From experimental model after natural mating, 62.5% and 25% heifers got pregnant from Cff and Cfvi groups, respectively, while from Cfv no pregnancy was detected. The strain more frequently detected was Cfvi, followed by Cff and Cfv. Colonization of Cff in female genital tract with high number of carriers and presence in aborted fetuses was evidenced, suggesting a high risk to bovine reproductive health. Bacteriemia was not detected after genital infection. Given the low detection rate of either test, we suggest the use of both, PCR based methods and bacterial culture could result in higher detection rate in farms with endemic campylobacteriosis.

The effect of changing diagnostic method from culture to PCR on the number of episodes of human campylobacteriosis in Denmark: a retrospective study (2015-2022).

IMPORTANCE: This study is important because it shows the potential epidemiological silence associated with the use of culture as the primary diagnostic method for the laboratory identification of human campylobacteriosis. Also, we show how polymerase chain reaction methods are associated with a systematic increase in the number of human campylobacteriosis episodes as reported by routine disease surveillance. These findings are operationally relevant and have public health implications because they tell how crucial it is to consider changes in diagnostic methods, e.g., in the epidemiological analysis of historical data and in the interpretation of future data in light of the past. We also believe that this study highlights how the synergy between microbiology and epidemiology is essential for disease surveillance.

Campylobacter Infection-Associated Acute Pancreatitis in a Renal Transplant Recipient.

Immunocompromised individuals (patients with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, transplant recipients) and pregnant women are at greater risk of complicated foodborne illness than the general population. Though rare, Campylobacter enteritis-associated acute pancreatitis has not been reported in an immunocompromised host to our knowledge. Herein, we describe a case of Campylobacter infection-associated pancreatitis in a renal transplant recipient. This case highlights the need for food safety education for the immunocompromised, emphasizes the role of health care providers in encouraging adherence to food safety guidelines, and stresses the need to maintain broad infectious differentials for immunocompromised patient populations, even for conditions which are not commonly associated with an infectious etiology.

Head-to-head comparison of CAMPYAIR aerobic culture medium versus standard microaerophilic culture for Campylobacter isolation from clinical samples.

Campylobacter spp. are considered the most frequent cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. However, outside high-income countries, its burden is poorly understood. Limited published data suggest that Campylobacter prevalence in low- and middle-income countries is high, but their reservoirs and age distribution are different. Culturing Campylobacter is expensive due to laboratory equipment and supplies needed to grow the bacterium (e.g., selective culture media, microaerophilic atmosphere, and a 42°C incubator). These requirements limit the diagnostic capacity of clinical laboratories in many resource-poor regions, leading to significant underdiagnosis and underreporting of isolation of the pathogen. CAMPYAIR, a newly developed selective differential medium, permits Campylobacter isolation without the need for microaerophilic incubation. The medium is supplemented with antibiotics to allow Campylobacter isolation in complex matrices such as human feces. The present study aims to evaluate the ability of the medium to recover Campylobacter from routine clinical samples. A total of 191 human stool samples were used to compare the ability of CAMPYAIR (aerobic incubation) and a commercial Campylobacter medium (CASA, microaerophilic incubation) to recover Campylobacter. All Campylobacter isolates were then identified by MALDI-TOF MS. CAMPYAIR showed sensitivity and specificity values of 87.5% (95% CI 47.4%-99.7%) and 100% (95% CI 98%-100%), respectively. The positive predictive value of CAMPYAIR was 100% and its negative predictive value was 99.5% (95% CI 96.7%-99.9%); Kappa Cohen coefficient was 0.93 (95% CI 0.79-1.0). The high diagnostic performance and low technical requirements of the CAMPYAIR medium could permit Campylobacter culture in countries with limited resources.

Campylobacter myocarditis: a rare but potential sequelae of Campylobacter jejuni.

Myocarditis is an inflammatory cardiomyopathy with a diverse range of both infective and non-infective causes. It is an important cause of dilated cardiomyopathy worldwide, with a variable clinical course ranging from a mild self-limiting illness to fulminant cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support and cardiac transplantation. Here, we describe a case of acute myocarditis secondary to Campylobacter jejuni infection in a man in his 50s who presented with an acute coronary syndrome following a recent gastrointestinal illness.

Pericarditis due to Campylobacter coli infection: a case report.

Campylobacter spp. is a gram-negative bacillus that causes infectious enteritis and consists of several species, including Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter fetus. Although C. jejuni and C. coli cause infectious enteritis primarily in immunocompetent hosts, C. fetus causes extraintestinal infections such as septicemia, meningitis, and perinatal infections in immunocompromised hosts, as well as myopericarditis in rare cases. Only a few cases of infectious myo(peri)carditis associated with C. coli in immunocompetent hosts have been reported. These studies concentrated on antecedent C. coli enterocolitis and never demonstrated a positive culture in the pericardial fluid.A 72-year-old Japanese man presented with a 2-week fever, cough, and vomiting lasting. He was on hemodialysis for polycystic kidney disease, as well as medication for diabetes and hypertension. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan and a transthoracic echocardiogram revealed bilateral pleural fluid and large pericardial fluid at the time of admission. C. coli was identified from blood culture samples and blood-tinged pericardial fluid. He was successfully treated with antibacterial chemotherapy as well as pericardial fluid drainage and was discharged from the hospital with no complications.In this case, the presence of C. coli in the pericardial fluid confirmed the diagnosis of C. coli pericarditis. C. coli may cause septic pericarditis in immunocompromised hosts, despite typically causing only enteritis.

First Report of Campylobacter hepaticus Isolation in Laying Hens and Broiler Breeders with Spotty Liver Disease in Costa Rica.

Poultry producers in Costa Rica have informally reported a spotty liver disease-like syndrome for more than 20 yr. However, despite many attempts, the infectious agent responsible for this syndrome had not been identified. Therefore, following current knowledge of spotty liver disease diagnosis, we invited veterinarians and poultry producers to submit samples to the diagnostic laboratories of the Veterinary Medicine School, Universidad Nacional, to identify the infectious agent of this syndrome. Veterinarians and poultry producers were instructed to collect gallbladders and livers aseptically and send them for pathology examinations and bacterial cultures in less than 24 hr after collection. Samples were processed for standard histopathologic studies and cultured under aerophilic, anaerobic, and microaerophilic conditions. Campylobacter-like colonies were isolated and identified by biochemical and PCR tests. Here we report for the first time the isolation, biochemical characterization, and molecular confirmation of Campylobacter hepaticus in laying hens and broiler breeders with spotty liver disease in Costa Rica.

Nota de investigación- Primer reporte de aislamiento de Campylobacter hepaticus en gallinas de postura y reproductoras pesadas con necrosis hepática focal en Costa Rica. Los productores avícolas en Costa Rica han reportado extraoficialmente un síndrome similar a la necrosis hepática focal durante más de 20 años. Sin embargo, a pesar de muchos intentos, el agente infeccioso responsable de este síndrome no había sido identificado. Por ello, siguiendo los conocimientos actuales relacionados con la necrosis hepática focal, se invitó a los veterinarios y a los productores avícolas a enviar muestras a los laboratorios de diagnóstico de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria de la Universidad Nacional, para identificar el agente infeccioso de este síndrome. Se instruyó a los veterinarios y productores avícolas para recolectar vesículas biliares e hígados asépticamente y enviarlos para exámenes patológicos y para cultivos bacterianos en menos de 24 horas después de la recolección. Las muestras se procesaron para estudios histopatológicos estándar y se cultivaron en condiciones aerófilas, anaeróbicas y microaerófilas. Las colonias sugestivas de Campylobacter se aislaron e identificaron mediante pruebas bioquímicas y por PCR. Aquí se reporta por primera vez el aislamiento, caracterización bioquímica y confirmación molecular de Campylobacter hepaticus en gallinas de postura y reproductoras pesadas con la necrosis hepática focal en Costa Rica.

Epidemiologic and Clinical Features of Campylobacter Enteritis Before and During COVID-19 in Korea.

BACKGROUND: With the increase in meals at home due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the pattern and incidence of enteritis seemed to change. Some types of enteritis, such as Campylobacter enteritis, appear to have increased. Our study aimed to evaluate the change in the trend of enteritis, especially Campylobacter enteritis, before COVID-19 (2016-2019) and at the present time during COVID-19 in South Korea. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. From 2016 to 2020, the International Classification of Diseases codes related to enteritis were examined to distinguish bacterial and viral enteritis and the trends of each were analyzed. The aspects of enteritis, before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, were compared. RESULTS: Both bacterial and viral enteritis declined in all age groups from 2016 to 2020 (P < 0.001). In 2020, the reduction rate of viral enteritis was higher than that of bacterial enteritis. However, unlike other causes of enteritis, even after COVID-19, Campylobacter enteritis increased in all age groups. An increase of Campylobacter enteritis in 2020 was particularly noticeable in children and adolescents. The prevalence of viral and bacterial enteritis was higher in urban areas than in rural areas (P < 0.001). Campylobacter enteritis was more common in the rural areas (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of bacterial and viral enteritis have decreased in COVID-19, Campylobacter enteritis has increased in all age groups and in rural areas compared to urban areas. Recognizing that the trend of Campylobacter enteritis before and during COVID-19 is helpful for future public health measures and interventions.

Clinical manifestations and risk factors of campylobacter gastroenteritis in children in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Campylobacteriosis is a common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the potential risk factors, clinical and laboratory manifestations of children with campylobacteriosis under five years old in Taiwan. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study was conducted in ten major hospitals in Taiwan from 2014 to 2017. Laboratory tests and stool specimen were collected and analyzed together with questionnaire survey. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression model was used for identification of risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 64 campylobacteriosis cases were included with a median age of 25 months. We observed a less prolonged vomiting (p = 0.047), more bloody (p < 0.001) and mucoid (p = 0.005) stools, and lower AST levels (p = 0.020) in patients with campylobacteriosis. Lower parental educational attainment (p < 0.001), direct contact with acute gastroenteritis patients (p < 0.001), as well as diarrhea in the mutually cared children (p = 0.007) were linked to campylobacteriosis. Consumption of municipal water (p < 0.001), milk (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.118-0.979), and soft beverages (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.192-0.888) were identified as protective factors, while consuming takeout food (p = 0.032) and seafood (p = 0.019) increased risk of campylobacteriosis. CONCLUSIONS: Shorter vomiting duration, bloody and mucoid stool, and less elevated AST levels are manifestations suggestive of campylobacteriosis. Risk factors of campylobacteriosis were low parental educational attainment, direct contact with acute gastroenteritis patients, diarrhea in mutually cared children, takeout food and seafood intake. Potential protective factors include municipal water, milk, and soft beverage intake.

Clinical characteristics of Campylobacter bacteremia: a multicenter retrospective study.

Campylobacter species are the pathogens of the intestinal tract, which infrequently cause bacteremia. To reveal the clinical characteristics of Campylobacter bacteremia, we performed a retrospective, multicenter study. Patients diagnosed with Campylobacter bacteremia in three general hospitals in western Japan between 2011 and 2021 were included in the study. Clinical, microbiological, and prognostic data of the patients were obtained from medical records. We stratified the cases into the gastroenteritis (GE) and fever predominant (FP) types by focusing on the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Thirty-nine patients (24 men and 15 women) were included, with a median age of 57 years and bimodal distribution between those in their 20 s and the elderly. The proportion of GE and FP types were 21 (53.8%) and 18 (46.2%), respectively. Comparing these two groups, there was no significant difference in patient backgrounds in terms of sex, age, and underlying diseases. Campylobacter jejuni was exclusively identified in the GE type (19 cases, 90.5%), although other species such as Campylobacter fetus and Campylobacter coli were isolated in the FP type as well. Patients with the FP type underwent intravenous antibiotic therapy more frequently (47.6% vs. 88.9%), and their treatment (median: 5 days vs. 13 days) and hospitalization (median: 7 days vs. 21 days) periods were significantly longer. None of the patients died during the hospitalization. In summary, we found that nearly half of the patients with Campylobacter bacteremia presented with fever as a predominant manifestation without gastroenteritis symptoms.

Orbital cellulitis and osteomyelitis secondary to odontogenic infection with campylobacter rectus: a case report.

The authors report the first case of orbital osteomyelitis due to Campylobacter in a 50-year-old male on a background of poor dental health. Campylobacter rectus is a member of the human oral flora and is usually associated with periodontal disease. There are 16 reported cases of non-oral C. rectus invasive soft-tissue infections, of which only one reports of osteolytic changes. In our patient, it is hypothesised that contiguous spread of periodontal infection with C. rectus seeded infection to the orbit. C. rectus infection is a rare but significant pathogen that should be considered as the etiologic factor in a patient presenting with an orbital lesion and bony changes, particularly on a background of poor dentition.

Diagnostic accuracy of multiplex nucleic acid amplification tests for Campylobacter infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Campylobacter infection is one of the most frequently reported foodborne diseases with approximately 230,000 and 1.5 million cases each year in Europe and the USA, respectively. Culture methods are the reference for the diagnosis of Campylobacter infections; however, these methods are complex and time-consuming. Multiplex nucleic acid amplification test is favored due to its rapidity, automatization in the procedure followed and the quick simultaneous testing of numerous foodborne pathogens. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the accuracy of these tests for the diagnosis of Campylobacter infection. Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, and Mendeley were searched for peer-reviewed articles. The split component synthesis method with the use of the inverse variance heterogeneity model was chosen for the quantitative meta-analysis. Sensitivity analysis was performed by age category and index test. The literature search found 34 studies involving 28,105 patients with suspected gastroenteritis. The sensitivity and specificity were 95.3% (92.3; 97.1) and 97.1% (95.1; 98.3), respectively, and AUC (area under the curve) was 0.963 (0.947; 0.974). Pediatric patients had a lower sensitivity (87.4, 48.2; 98.1) and higher specificity (99.2, 91.6; 99.9) estimate compared to all ages category (sensitivity 95.3, 91.3; 97.5, specificity 96.7, 93.7; 98.3). Among the various index tests, Seeplex/Allplex and Amplidiag/Novodiag had the lowest estimate for sensitivity (88.9, 73.8; 95.8) and specificity (95.2, 86; 98.4), respectively. BDMax had the highest (sensitivity 98.1, 96.1; 99 and specificity 98.5, 97; 99.3). Multiplex nucleic acid tests showed excellent accuracy and could play an influential role in diagnosing Campylobacter infections.

"Candidatus Campylobacter infans" detection is not associated with diarrhea in children under the age of 2 in Peru.

A working hypothesis is that less common species of Campylobacter (other than C. jejuni and C. coli) play a role in enteric disease among children in low resource settings and explain the gap between the detection of Campylobacter using culture and culture independent methods. "Candidatus Campylobacter infans" (C. infans), was recently detected in stool samples from children and hypothesized to play a role in Campylobacter epidemiology in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This study determined the prevalence of C. infans in symptomatic and asymptomatic stool samples from children living in Iquitos, Peru. Stool samples from 215 children with diarrhea and 50 stool samples from children without diarrhea under the age of two were evaluated using a multiplex qPCR assay to detect Campylobacter spp. (16S rRNA), Campylobacter jejuni / Campylobacter coli (cadF gene), C. infans (lpxA), and Shigella spp. (ipaH). C. infans was detected in 7.9% (17/215) symptomatic samples and 4.0% (2/50) asymptomatic samples. The association between diarrhea and the presence of these targets was evaluated using univariate logistic regressions. C. infans was not associated with diarrhea. Fifty-one percent (75/146) of Campylobacter positive fecal samples were negative for C. jejuni, C. coli, and C. infans via qPCR. Shotgun metagenomics confirmed the presence of C. infans among 13 out of 14 positive C. infans positive stool samples. C infans explained only 20.7% of the diagnostic gap in stools from children with diarrhea and 16.7% of the gap in children without diarrhea. We posit that poor cadF primer performance better explains the observed gap than the prevalence of atypical non-C. jejuni/coli species.

Current methodologies and future direction of Campylobacter isolation and detection from food matrices, clinical samples, and the agricultural environment.

Campylobacter spp. are the leading cause of bacterial foodborne infections in both developed and developing countries. The food commodities primarily attributed to campylobacteriosis include raw milk, poultry, seafood, and fresh produce. Furthermore, insects, animal/bird fecal material, and agricultural water have been shown to be the sources of Campylobacter contamination in these commodities. Both established and emerging species of Campylobacter have been recovered from food and environmental sources. Therefore, optimal detection and isolation of Campylobacter spp., including the emerging species, is critical for improved surveillance, prevention, and traceback of Campylobacter outbreaks. This review focuses on the existing variability in Campylobacter enrichment and isolation procedures used by researchers and regulatory agencies worldwide, for various matrices. Additionally, the challenges associated with developing and validating new culture, molecular, and immunological methods for rapid and sensitive Campylobacter detection are discussed.