Campylobacteriosis, 2003

Campylobacter continues to be the most commonly reported bacterial enteric pathogen in Minnesota (Figure 1). There were 937 cases of culture confirmed Campylobacter infection reported in 2003 (19.0 per 100,000 population). This is similar to the 941 cases reported in 2002 and also similar to the mean annual number of cases reported from 1998 to 2002 (mean, 953 cases; range, 786 to 1,006). Fifty-two percent of cases occurred outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Of the 829 Campylobacter isolates confirmed and identified to species by MDH, 92% were C. jejuni and 7% were C. coli.

The median age of case-patients was 32 years (range, 1 month to 87 years). Forty-six percent of cases were between 20 and 49 years of age, and 15% were 5 years of age of younger. Fifty-five percent of the cases were male. Fifteen percent of case-patients were hospitalized; the median length of hospitalization was 2 days. Fifty percent of infections occurred during June through September. Of the 827 (88%) case-patients for whom data were available, 132 (16%) reported travel outside of the United States during the week prior to illness onset.
The most common travel destinations were western Europe (n=35) and Mexico (n=31). There were no outbreaks of campylobacteriosis identified in 2003.

A primary feature of public health importance among Campylobacter cases was the continued presence of Campylobacter isolates resistant to fluoroquinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin), which are commonly used to treat campylobacteriosis. From 1992 to 2002, the proportion of C. jejuni isolates from Minnesota residents that were resistant to quinolones
increased from 1% to 18%. In 2003, the proportion of quionolone-resistant Campylobacter isolates was 16%. During 2003, 60% of C. jejuni isolates from patients with a history of foreign travel (regardless of destination) during the week before illness onset were resistant to fluoroquinolones. Domestically acquired quinolone-resistant C. jejuni infections also have increased significantly since 1996. This increase likely is due largely to the use of fluoroquinolones in poultry (the primary source of Campylobacter for humans) in the United States, which began late in 1995.

• For up to date information see>> Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter)
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2003