###### Abstract  
This comprehensive review investigates the specific impact of the foodborne pathogen _Campylobacter jejuni_ (_C. jejuni_) on gastrointestinal health, focusing on its connection to post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). This review examines the pathogen's pathophysiology, clinical implications and epidemiological trends using recent research and data to highlight its prevalence and association with PI-IBS. A detailed literature analysis synthesizes current research to illuminate _Campylobacter_'s long-lasting effects on gut microbiota and intestinal function. It provides a detailed analysis of the literature to shed light on C. _jjuni_'s long-term impact on gut microbiota and intestinal function. The findings suggest the need for multifaceted prevention and treatment approaches considering individual, microbial and epidemiological factors, thus contributing to a more nuanced understanding of PI-IBS following C. _jjuni_ infection. **Citation:** [PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON] [PERSON] Exploring the Contribution of _Campylobacter jejuni_ to Post-Infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Literature Review. _Appl. Sci._**2024**, _14_, 3073. [[https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083373](https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083373)]([https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083373](https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083373))  
[1][[https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci](https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci)]([https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci](https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci))  
experienced travelers' diarrhea were prone to developing persistent symptoms that were consistent with PI-IBS [8]. The molecular configuration of _C. jejuni_'s lipooligosaccharide (LOS) is pivotal in determining the infection's progression. Isolates capable of synthesizing sialylated ganglioside mimics within LOS (classified as A, B or C) exhibit enhanced invasive capabilities and a raised ability to translate epithelial cell monolayers [9]. These specific isolates are more commonly linked to severe outcomes, such as bloody diarrhea, and are associated with prolonged symptomatology. Furthermore, subsequent findings have highlighted mucosal anomalies in the colons of patients diagnosed with PI-IBS [5]. Microscopic colitis is another condition that shares symptom similarities with PI-IBS, but the two have distinct differences [10]. Typically, microscopic colitis is diagnosed in individuals over 50, whereas PI-IBS more commonly affects younger people. Furthermore, patients with microscopic colitis experience chronic watery diarrhea without abdominal pain, in contrast to PI-IBS, in which abdominal pain is a prevalent symptom alongside bowel irregularities [10]. This pathogen presents a paradoxical nature, serving as a harmless commensal within the chicken gut yet triggering a range of illnesses upon human infection. Numerous environmental sources significantly elevate the risk of human _Campylobacter_ infections, with most outbreaks linked to the consumption of undercooked poultry meats and their products--encompassing meats from laying hens, turkeys, ostriches, ducks and broilers [11; 12; 13]. It has been estimated that poultry meats and products are responsible for approximately 60-80% of global campylobacteriosis cases, underscoring their critical role in transmitting this disease [11]. Within the United States, a population-based study showcased a significantly elevated risk of developing PI-IBS among individuals with sporadic cases of _Campylobacter_ infection [14]. In PI-IBS patients, predominant _C. jejuni_ isolates belonged to the ST-21 clonal complex, a well-documented lineage in acute human infections, including those leading to liver infections and extrainstinal dissemination [9]. Contrarily, strains from the ST-22 clonal complex were disproportionately represented among those contributing to PI-IBS onset and confirmed in patients with GBS [15], whereas the ST42 clonal complex presented a minimal risk association.