It affects all age groups with peak incidence among infants. Most cases of campylobacter diarrhea are sporadic, but outbreaks may occur particularly in spring and fall. Sporadic cases are associated with incorrect food handling practices and consumption of poorly cooked poultry, raw milk, contact with pets, and travel. Outbreaks are more commonly associated with raw milk and contaminated water. Campylobacter gastroenteritis can range from an asymptomatic infection to severe, inflammatory diarrhea.
Symptoms generally last four to five days.
Diagnosis is usually made by isolation of the organism from stool. Stool specimens should be transported to the laboratory within two hours of collection, otherwise a transport medium should be used. In addition, specialized media and conditions of incubation are required. Test results are available within two hours of testing. This assay cannot differentiate between C. jejuni and C. coli .