Identification of Potential Environmentally Adapted Campylobacter jejuni Strain, United Kingdom

2008

Environmentally Adapted Campylobacter in the UK

Sample size: 1104 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sopwith Will, Birtles Andrew, Matthews Margaret, Fox Andrew, Gee Steven, Painter Michael, Regan Martyn, Syed Qutub, Bolton Eric

Primary Institution: Health Protection Agency (North West), Liverpool, UK

Hypothesis

What factors drive the early summer increase of Campylobacter cases in the UK?

Conclusion

The study found that the Campylobacter strain ST-45 is strongly associated with early summer peaks in human infections and is frequently isolated from surface waters.

Supporting Evidence

ST-45 was the third most prevalent sequence type reported in the study.
Seventy-four river water samples were positive for C. jejuni, with ST-45 being the most prevalent.
Cases of ST-45 were more likely to be reported in early summer than during the rest of the year.
Consumption of chicken was less associated with ST-45 infection compared to other types.
Children under 5 years of age were significantly more likely to be infected with ST-45.

Takeaway

Scientists found a type of bacteria called Campylobacter that likes to live in water and makes people sick, especially in the summer.

Methodology

The study analyzed human cases of Campylobacter infection and collected water samples from rivers to identify the presence of different Campylobacter strains.