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==Overview==

==Overview==

Campylobacter live on the mucosa of the intestinal and genital tract and can be commensals or pathogens. The enteric species cause disease in humans and other species cause infertility and abortion in cattle and sheep. [[Campylobacteriosis]] is caused by Campylobacter organisms.

Campylobacter live on the mucosa of the intestinal and genital tract and can be commensals or pathogens. The enteric species cause disease in humans and other species cause infertility and abortion in cattle and sheep. Campylobacteriosis is caused by Campylobacter organisms.

''C. jejuni'' and ''C. lari'' is excreted in the faeces of birds and pigs and can contaminate water and food supplies.

[[Campylobacter jejuni|''C.jejuni'']] and ''C. lari'' is excreted in the faeces of birds and pigs and can contaminate water and food supplies.

''C. fetus'' is restricted to the bovine prepucial mucosa.

[[Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus|''C.fetus'']] is restricted to the bovine prepucial mucosa.

Captive reptiles may be the reservoir in cases of human infection.

==Characteristics==

==Characteristics==

The bacteria are curved, Gram negative rods with polar flagellum to aid motility. The daughter cells remain joined, giving a gull-wing or spiral appearance. They are microaerophilic and sensitive to drying.  

The bacteria are '''curved, Gram negative rods with polar flagellum''' to aid motility. The daughter cells remain joined, giving a gull-wing or spiral appearance. They are microaerophilic and sensitive to drying.  

Campylobater species can be divided into; Thermophilic species, including ''C. jejuni and C. coli'' and Non-thermophilic species e.g. ''C. fetus''.  

Campylobater species can be divided into; '''Thermophilic species''', including [[Campylobacter jejuni|''C.jejuni'']] and C. coli'' and '''Non-thermophilic species''' e.g. [[Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus|''C.fetus'']].  

They can grow on enriched selective media e.g. Skirrow agar in 1-10% carbon dioxide and 5-10% oxygen tension. Many grow on MacConkey, however ''C. jejuni'' requires increased temperatures for growth.

They can grow on enriched selective media ''e.g.'' '''Skirrow agar''' in 1-10% carbon dioxide and 5-10% oxygen tension. Many grow on '''MacConkey''', however [[Campylobacter jejuni|''C.jejuni'']] requires increased temperatures for growth.

''C. fetus'' subspecies ''venerealis'' and subspecies ''fetus'' have small, round, smooth, translucent colonies.

 

''C. jejuni'' has small, flat, grey colonies with watery appearance.  

C.fetus subspecies ''venerealis'' and subspecies [[Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus|''C.fetus'']]  have small, round, smooth, translucent colonies.

Smears are stained with dilute carbol fuschin for 4 minutes.

[[Campylobacter jejuni|''C.jejuni'']] has small, flat, grey colonies with watery appearance.  

 

'''Smears''' are stained with dilute '''carbol fuschin''' for 4 minutes.

==Pathogenesis and pathogenicity==

==Pathogenesis and pathogenicity==

''C. fetus'' subspecies ''fetus'' and subspecies ''venerealis'' possess a microcapsule (S layer) which resists phagocytosis and serum-mediated destruction and enhances survival in the genital tract.

 

''C. fetus'' subspecies [[Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus|''fetus'']] and subspecies ''venerealis'' possess a microcapsule (S layer) which resists phagocytosis and serum-mediated destruction and enhances survival in the genital tract.

Antigens of the S layer undergo antigenic shifts in ''C. fetus'' subspecies ''venerealis'', allowing persistence in the host.

Antigens of the S layer undergo antigenic shifts in ''C. fetus'' subspecies ''venerealis'', allowing persistence in the host.

''C. jejuni'' attaches and invades host enterocytes and produces enterotoxin-like substances.

[[Campylobacter jejuni|''C.jejuni'']] attaches and invades host enterocytes and produces enterotoxin-like substances.

The Flagellae of ''C. jejuni'' required for colonisation.

The Flagellae of [[Campylobacter jejuni|''C.jejuni'']] are required for colonisation.