Epidemiological relevance of the genus Campylobacter in foods

Bakterije roda Campylobacter su Gram – negativni, asporogeni, zavinuti ili spiralni štapići koji čine normalnu mikrofloru probavnog sustava toplokrvnih životinja. Uzrokuju kampilobakteriozu koja je najčešće prijavljivana zoonoza u Europskoj uniji i predstavlja jedan od vodećih javnozdravstvenih problema. Kontakti sa zaraženim divljim ili domaćim životinjama te ingestija kontaminirane hrane, osobito nedovoljno termički obrađenog mesa peradi, ili vode, su odgovorni za nastanak epidemija. Gastroenteritis je najčešća manifestacija kampilobakterioze, ali se mogu pojaviti i upalni procesi crijeva, ezofagealne bolesti, parodontne bolesti, funkcionalne gastrointestinalne bolesti, rak debelog crijeva i kolecistitis. Od ostalih ekstragastrointestinalnih manifestacija ističu se Guillain – Barréov sindrom, Miller Fisherov sindrom, apsces mozga i meningitis, bakterijemija, sepsa, endokarditis, miokarditis, reaktivni artritis i kliničke manifestacije koje dovode do komplikacija u reproduktivnom sustavu. Prevencija i smanjivanje rizika pojave bolesti počiva na opreznoj obradi sirovog mesa i ostalih sirovih namirnica, dobroj termičkoj obradi i higijeni prostora u kojem se hrana priprema.Campylobacter species are Gram–negative non-spore forming, curved or spiral bacteria which make up the normal microflora of the digestive system of worm-blooded animals. They cause campylobacteriosis which is the most commonly reported zoonosis in the European Union and is one of the leading public health issues. Contacts with infected wild or domesticated animals and ingestion of contaminated food, particulary undercooked poultry products, or water, are responsible for causing epidemics. Gastroenteritis is the most common manifestation of campylobacteriosis, but other clinical conditions may include inflammatory bowel disease, esophageal diseases, periodontal diseases, functional gastrointestinal disorders, colon cancer and cholecystitis. Extragastrointestinal manifestations include Guillain – Barré syndrome, Miller Fisher syndrome, brain abscesses and meningitis, bacteremia, sepsis, endocarditis, myocarditis, reactive arthritis and clinical manifestations that result in complications in the reproductive tract. Prevention and risk reduction of campylobacteriosis is based on careful processing of raw meat and other raw foods, better thermal processing and the hygiene of the food preparation area