The postinfectious arthritis is particularly common and presents with either a monoarticular or a migratory polyarticular arthritis beginning a few days or weeks after the episode of enteritis. Approximately 60 percent of cases occur in individuals with the HLA-B27 haplotype. Campylobacter-like organisms have been isolated from homosexual men who had proctitis that was otherwise unexplained. Microscopic examination of the stool reveals polymorphonuclear leukocytes in about 80 percent of patients. The blood leukocyte count is elevated in most patients.
Definitive diagnosis depends on demonstration of the organism in culture.
The selective media used to isolate other bacterial enteric pathogens are not suitable for Cam pylobacter. In fact, appreciation of Campylobacter enteritis as a disease entity was contingent on the development of new selective media. In blood cultures, Campylobacter organisms may be slow-growing, requiring incubation for two weeks or longer before they become evident. Indirect fluorescent antibody and agglutinating techniques have shown that most patients with Campylobacter enteritis mount an antibody response to the infecting organism. However, no single group antigen that is appropriate for clinical use has been defined.