Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Campylobacter enteritis and the Guillain-Barré syndrome

  • Published:
Current Infectious Disease Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common causes of bacterial gastroenteritis in the United States and worldwide with approximately 2.4 million infections per year in the United States. A now clearly recognized sequelae following Campylobacter infection is the Guillain-Barré syndrome, an acute immune-mediated attack on the peripheral nervous system. How Campylobacter induces Guillain-Barré syndrome is the subject of intense investigation, and this article discusses some of the recent advances in our understanding of the clinical, epidemiologic, and pathogenic features of the disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Escherich T: Beitrage zur kenntniss der darmbacterien.III. Ueber das vorkommen von bironen im darmcanal und den stuhlgangen der sauglinge [Aricles adding to the knowledge of intestinal bacteria.III. On the existence of vibrios in the intestines and faces of babies]. Munchener Medicinische Wochenschrift 1886, 33:815–817.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Skirrow MB, Butzler J-P: Foreword. In Campylobacter, edn 2. Edited by Nachamkin I, Blaser MJ. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 2000:xvii-xxiii.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Incidence of foodborne illnesses: preliminary data from the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) United States, 1998. MMWR 1999, 48:189–194.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Friedman CR, Neimann J, Wegener HC, Tauxe RV: Epidemiology of Campylobacter jejuni infections in the United States and other industrialized nations. In Campylobacter, edn 2. Edited by Nachamkin I, Blaser MJ. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 2000:121–138. This review is the most up-to-date summary and analysis of the epidemiology of Campylobacter infections in the United States and other industrialized nations. Much of the data is derived from new active surveillance programs initiated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Skirrow MB, Blaser MJ: Clinical aspects of Campylobacter infection. In Campylobacter, edn 2. Edited by Nachamkin I, Blaser MJ. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 2000:69–88.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Jacobs-Reitsma W: Campylobacter in the food supply. In Campylobacter, edn 2. Edited by Nachamkin I, Blaser MJ. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 2000:467–481.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Vandamme P: Taxonomy of the family Campylobacteraceae. In Campylobacter, edn 2. Edited by Nachamkin I, Blaser MJ. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 2000:3–26.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Guerrant RL, Van Gilder T, Steiner TS, et al.: Guidelines for managing infectious diarrhea. Clin Infect Dis 2001, in press. This new Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Practice Guideline was just completed and submitted for publication. IDSA publishes numerous practice guidelines of major interest to both physicians specializing in infectious diseases as well as general medicine. Access to these practice guidelines can be found at the IDSA web site (www.idsociety.org).

  9. Nachamkin I: Campylobacter and Arcobacter. In Manual of Clinical Microbiology, edn 7. Edited by Murray PR, Baron EJ, Pfaller MA, et al. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 1999:716–726.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hines J, Nachamkin I: Effective use of the clinical microbiology laboratory for diagnosing diarrheal diseases. Clin Infect Dis 1996, 23:1292–1301.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Nachamkin I, Engberg J, Aarestrup FM: Diagnosis and antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter species. In Campylobacter, edn 2. Edited by Nachamkin I, Blaser MJ. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 2000:45–66.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hindiyeh M, Jense S, Hohmann S, et al.: Rapid detection of Campylobacter jejuni in stool specimens by an enzyme immunoassay and surveillance for Campylobacter upsaliensis in the greater Salt Lake City area. J Clin Microbiol 2000, 38:3076–3079.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Engberg J, Aarestrup FM, Taylor DE, et al.: Quinolone and macrolide resistance in Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli: a review of mechanisms and trends over time of resistance profiles in human isolates. Emerg Infect Dis 2001, in press. This article presents a summary of antimicrobial resistance trends in Campylobacter over the past decade.

  14. Smith KE, Besser JM, Hedberg CW, et al.: Quinolone-resistant Campylobacter jejuni infections in Minnesota, 1992–1998. N Engl J Med 1999, 340:1525–1532. An important study on the epidemiology of quinolone-resistant C. jejuni infections in Minnesota.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Nachamkin I: Antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and tetracycline from 1982 to 1992. Med Microbiol Lett 1994, 3:300–305.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Smith KE, Bender JB, Osterholm MT: Antimicrobial resistance in animals and relevance to human infections. In Campylobacter, edn 2. Edited by Nachamkin I, Blaser MJ. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 2000:483–495.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Ho TW, McKhann GM, Griffin JW: Human autoimmune neuropathies. Ann Rev Neurosci 1998, 21:187–226. An excellent review on the pathogenesis of a variety of peripheral autoimmune diseases including a detailed description on the pathogenesis of GBS.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Rhodes KM, Tattersfield AE: Guillain-Barre syndrome associated with Campylobacter infection. Br Med J 1982, 285:173–174.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Nachamkin I, Allos BM, Ho TW: Campylobacter jejuni infection and the association with Guillain-Barré syndrome. In Campylobacter, edn 2. Edited by Nachamkin I, Blaser MJ. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 2000:155–175. An excellent review on the association of C. jejuni with GBS.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kuroki S, Saida T, Nukina M, et al.: Campylobacter jejuni strains from patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome belong mostly to Penner serogroup 19 and contain B-N-acetylglucosamine residues. Ann Neurol 1993, 33:243–247.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Yuki N, Takahashi M, Tagawa Y, et al.: Association of Campylobacter jejuni serotype and antiganglioside antibody in Guillain-Barre syndrome and Fisher’s syndrome. Ann Neurol 1997, 42:28–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Sheikh KA, Nachamkin I, Ho TW, et al.: Campylobacter jejuni lipopolysaccharides in Guillain-Barre syndrome: molecular mimicry and host susceptibility. Neurology 1998, 51:371–378.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Nachamkin I, Arzarte Barbosa P, Flores L, et al.: Campylobacter jejuni and Guillain-Barre syndrome in Mexico City: a prospective culture based analysis of O serotypes associated with the disease [abstract]. In Abstracts of the 10th International Workshop on Campylobacter, Helicobacter & Related Organisms. Baltimore: September 11–16, 1999.

  24. Goddard EA, Lastovica AJ, Argent AC: Campylobacter O:41 isolation in Guillain-Barré syndrome. Arch Dis Child 1997, 76:526–528.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Karlyshev AV, Linton D, Gregson NA, et al.: Genetic and biochemical evidence of a Campylobacter jejuni capsular polysaccharide that accounts for Penner serotype specificity. Mol Microbiol 2000, 35:529–541.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Hughes RAC, Rees JH: Clinical and epidemiologic features of Guillain-Barré syndrome. J Infect Dis 1997, 176(suppl 2):92–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Buzby JC, Mishu Allos BM, Roberts T: The economic burden of Campylobacter associated Guillain-Barré syndrome. J Infect Dis 1997, 176(suppl 2):S192-S197.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Moran AP, Rietschel ET, Kosunen TU, Zahringer U: Chemical characterization of Campylobacter jejuni lipopolysaccharides containing N-acetylneuraminic acid and 2,3-diamino-2, 3-dideoxy-D-glucose. J Bacteriol 1991, 173:618–626.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Yuki N, Taki T, Inagaki F, et al.: A bacterium lipopolysaccharide that elicits Guillain-Barre syndrome has a GM1 ganglioside structure. J Exp Med 1993, 178:1771–1775.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Aspinall GO, McDonald AG, Pang H, et al.: Lipopolysaccharides of Campylobacter jejuni serotype O:19: structures of core oligosaccharide regions from the serostrain and two bacterial isolates from patients with the Guillain-Barré syndrome. Biochemistry 1994, 33:241–249.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Sheikh KA, Deerinck TJ, Ellisman MH, Griffin JW: The distribution of ganglioside-like moieties in peripheral nerves. Brain 1999, 122:449–460.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Nachamkin I, Ung H, Moran AP, et al.: Ganglioside GM1 mimicry in Campylobacter strains from sporadic infections in the United States. J Infect Dis 1999, 179:1183–1189.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Ho TW, Willison H, Nachamkin I, et al.: Anti-GD1a antibody distinguishes axonal from demyelinating forms of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Ann Neurol 1999, 45:168–173.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Parkhill J, Wren BW, Mungall K, et al.: The genome sequence of the food-borne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni reveals hypervariable sequences. Nature 2000, 403:665–668. This study describes the complete genome sequence of C. jejuni NCTC11168 and is the culmination of several years of work by many investigators to sequence this organism. The results should pave the way for major advances in understanding the pathogenesis of how Campylobacter causes disease.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Gilbert M, Brisson JR, Karwaski MF, et al.: Biosynthesis of ganglioside mimics in Campylobacter jejuni OH4384. J Biol Chem 2000, 275:3896–3906. A major paper conclusively showing the role of several sialyltransferases in the production of ganglioside mimicry in C. jejuni.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Linton D, Karlyshev AV, Hitchen PG, et al.: Multiple N-acetyl neuramic acid synthetase (neuB) genes in Campylobacter jejuni: identification and characterization of the gene involved in sialyation of lipo-oligosaccharide. Mol Microbiol 2000, 35:1120–1134.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Linton D, Gilbert M, Hitchen PG, et al.: Phase variation of a B-1,3 galactosyltransferase involved in generation of the ganglioside GM1-like lipo-oligosaccharide of Campylobacter jejuni. Mol Microbiol 2000, 37:501–514.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Goodyear CS, O’Hanlon GM, Plomp JJ, et al.: Monoclonal antibodies raised against Guillain-Barre syndrome-associated Campylobacter jejuni lipopolysaccharides react with neuronal gangliosides and paralyze muscle-nerve preparations. J Clin Invest 1999, 104:697–708. A major study describing an ex vivo model for studying the pathogenesis of GBS and the role of pathogenic antiganglioside antibodies in disease.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Logan JMJ, Burnens A, Linton D, et al.: Campylobacter lanienae sp. nov., a new species isolated from workers in an abattoir. Int J Sys Evol Microbiol 2000, 50:865–872.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Lastovica AJ, Skirrow MB: Clinical significance of Campylobacter and related species other than Campylobacter jejuni. In Campylobacter, edn 2. Edited by Nachamkin I, Blaser MJ. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 2000:89–121.

    Google Scholar 

  41. National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System:Enteric Bacteria 1998 Annual Report. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 1998.

  42. Speed BR, Kaldor J, Watson J, et al.: Campylobacter jejuni/ Campylobacter coli associated Guillain-Barre syndrome. Med J Aust 1987, 147:13–16.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Ropper AH: Campylobacter diarrhea and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Arch Neurol 1988, 45:655–656.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Gruenwald R, Ropper AH, Lior H, et al.: Serologic evidence of Campylobacter jejuni/coli enteritis in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Arch Neurol 1991, 48:1080–1082.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Enders U, Karch H, Toyka KV, et al.: The spectrum of immune responses to Campylobacter jejuni and glycoconjugates in Guillain-Barré syndrome and in other neuroimmunological disorders. Ann Neurol 1993, 34:136–144.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Rees JH, Soudain SE, Gregson NA, Hughes RAC: Campylobacter jejuni infection and Guillain-Barre syndrome. N Engl J Med 1995, 333:1374–1379.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Hariharan H, Naseema K, Kumaran C, et al.: Detection of Campylobacter jejuni/C. coli infection in patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome by serology and culture. New Microbiologica 1996, 19:267–271.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Gregson NA, Rees JH, Hughes RAC: Reactivity of serum IgG anti-GM1 ganglioside antibodies with the lipopolysaccharide fractions of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). J Neuroimmunol 1997, 73:28–36.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Ohtsuka K, Nakamura Y, Hashimoto M, et al.: Fisher syndrome associated with IgG anti-GQ1b antibody following infection by a specific serotype of Campylobacter jejuni. Ophthalmology 1998, 105:1281–1285.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Hao Q, Saida T, Kuroki S, et al.: Antibodies to gangliosides and galactocerebroside in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome with preceding Campylobacter jejuni and other identified infections. J Neuroimmunol 1998, 81:116–126.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 4th Floor Gates Building, 3400 Spruce Street, 19104-4283, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Irving Nachamkin DrPH

Authors
  1. Irving Nachamkin DrPH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nachamkin, I. Campylobacter enteritis and the Guillain-Barré syndrome. Curr Infect Dis Rep 3, 116–122 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-996-0033-5

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-996-0033-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation