Retrospective Multicentric Study on Campylobacter spp. Bacteremia in France: The Campylobacteremia Study
Authors: Tinévez Claire , Velardo Fanny , Ranc Anne Gaëlle , Dubois Damien , Pailhoriès Hélène , Codde Cyrielle , Join-Lambert Olivier , Gras Emmanuelle , Corvec Stéphane , Neuwirth Catherine , Melenotte Cléa , Dorel Marie , Lagneaux Anne Sophie , Pichon Maxime , Doat Violaine , Fournier Damien , Lemaignen Adrien , Bouard Leslie , Patoz Pierre , Hery-Arnaud Genevieve , Lemaitre Nadine , Couzigou Célia , Guillard Thomas , Recalt Elise , Bille Emmanuelle , Belaroussi Yaniss , Neau Didier , Cazanave Charles , Lehours Philippe , Puges Mathilde ,   Campylobacteremia study group, Alauzet Corentine , Antoine Meghann , Barraud Olivier , Benoit-Cattin Thierry , Bessède Emilie , Blondé Renaud , Boijout Hugo , Boyer Pierre , Broutin Lauranne , Brouty Julie , Burucoa Christophe , Cattoir Vincent , Courtellemont Laura , Cypierre Anne , Martins Chloé Domingues , Dorel Marie , Ducournau Astrid , Dumoulard Bruno , Etiévant Sibyle , Fayoux Erwan , Fines-Guyon Marguerite , Grall Nathalie , Gross Ariane , Guinard Jérome , Guyonnet Cécile , Horta Edgar , Jacquez Aude , Lavigne Jean Philippe , Le Brun Cécile , Lebeaux David , Lebreton Cédric , Letellier Claire , Leterrier Marion , Mainardi Jean Luc , Michon Anne Laure , Moreau Clémentine , Moulhade Marie Christine , Parmeland Laurence , Piau Caroline , Picard Jérémy , Poey Nora , Sauleau Louise , Takoudju Eve marie , Tattevin Pierre , Tessier Xavier , Tirard-Collet Pauline , Tri Tran Cong 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Background
Campylobacter spp. bacteremia is a severe infection. A nationwide 5-year retrospective study was conducted to characterize its clinical features and prognostic factors.

Methods
The study included patients with Campylobacter spp. bacteremia diagnosed in 37 French hospitals participating in the surveillance network of the National Reference Center for Campylobacters and Helicobacters, from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. The goal was to analyze the effects of a delay of appropriate antibiotic therapy and other risk factors on 30-day mortality rates, antibiotic resistance, patient characteristics, and prognosis according to the Campylobacter species.

Results
Among the 592 patients, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter fetus were the most commonly identified species (in 42.9% and 42.6%, respectively). The patients were elderly (median age 68 years), and most had underlying conditions, mainly immunodepression (43.4%), hematologic cancers (25.9%), solid neoplasms (23%), and diabetes (22.3%). C. jejuni and Campylobacter coli were associated with gastrointestinal signs, and C. fetus was associated with secondary localizations. Among the 80 patients (13.5%) with secondary localizations, 12 had endocarditis, 38 vascular, 24 osteoarticular, and 9 ascitic fluid infections. The 30-day mortality rate was 11.7%, and an appropriate antibiotic treatment was independently associated with 30-day survival (odds ratio, 0.47 [95% confidence interval, .24–.93]; P = .03). The median efficient therapy initiation delay was quite short (2 days [interquartile range, 0–4 days]) but it had no significant impact on the 30-day mortality rate (P = .78).

Conclusions
Campylobacter spp. bacteremia mainly occurred in elderly immunocompromised individuals with variable clinical presentations according to the species involved. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy was associated with improved 30-day survival.