Campylobacter fetus Subspecies jejuni: A Common Cause of Diarrhea in Sweden

Stool samples from approximately 2,550 patients with gastrointestinal infections were cultured for bacterial pathogens between January 1978 and September 1979, and 277 campylobacter (10.9%), 183 salmonella, 89 shigella, and 17 yersinia infections were identified. Campylobacter was found in all age groups, with the majority in the age group of 20-34 years. Most cases of campylobacter diarrhea were isolated during summer or late fall. After five weeks, 90% of the patients had no Campylobacter in their stools. The incubation time was estimated to be one to six days. Campylobacter gastroenteritis, even more common than salmonella gastroenteritis, was in general not regarded as a serious disease, despite the fact that most patients had marked symptoms. Almost all patients recovered without antibiotic treatment, although in some cases the disease was long-lasting, and 50 of the 277 patients required hospitalization. Thus, Campylobacter must be considered in the diagnosis of patients with diarrhea.