− | Gastrointestinal campylobacteriosis is caused by [[Campylobacter jejuni| Campylobacter jejuni]] or [[Campylobacter coli| Campylobacter coli]]. It causes diarrhoea mainly in young animals and can infect cattle as well as other species such as [[Campylobacteriosis - Dogs and Cats| dogs]], [[Campylobacteriosis - Dogs and Cats| cats]], sheep, goat, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, and mink. Campylobacter species can be found in both healthy and diseased gastrointestinal tracts of animals and can be spread via the faecal oral route. Although C. jejuni rarely causes fatal disease in animals, it the leading cause of foodborne diseases in humans and causes diarrhoea and cramps. Humans can become infected by faecal contaminated poultry skin, meat, milk and water sources. It can also be spread by humans via poor hygiene and during food processing. | + | Gastrointestinal campylobacteriosis is caused by [[Campylobacter jejuni| Campylobacter jejuni]] or [[Campylobacter coli| Campylobacter coli]]. It causes diarrhoea mainly in young animals and can infect cattle as well as other species such as [[Campylobacteriosis - Dogs and Cats| dogs]], [[Campylobacteriosis - Dogs and Cats| cats]], sheep, goat, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, and mink. Although C. jejuni rarely causes fatal disease in animals, it the leading cause of foodborne diseases in humans and causes diarrhoea and cramps. Humans can become infected by faecal contaminated poultry skin, meat, milk and water sources. It can also be spread by humans via poor hygiene and during food processing. C. jejuni may also cause abortion and mastitis in cattle. |
| + | Calves are more seriously affected and suffer from thick mucoid diarrhoea, often flecked with blood and can have pyrexia or a normal body temperature. Cattle may also suffer from tachycardia, rapid pulse rates and tachypnoea and weight loss. Adult cattle can become anorexic and show various reproductive signs such as anoestrus, irregular oestrus patterns, hot udders, agalactia, abortion and infertility. |
| + | In general selective media containing antimicrobial agents such as polymyxin B or trimethoprim can be used to identify Campylobacter organisms from affected intestinal samples, stomach content, smegma or vaginal fluid. C. fetus can be detected from cervicovaginal mucus using agglutination test or an ELISA. |