Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
Other diagnostic factors
- prodrome of headache, myalgias, chills, fever
- vomiting
Risk factors
- recent foreign travel
- eating raw or undercooked meat (especially chicken)
- exposure to poultry, cattle, sheep, or other farm animals
- HIV infection
- male sex
- drinking untreated water
- drinking unpasteurized milk
- close contact with infected person
- use of proton pump inhibitors or H2 antagonists
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- stool microscopy
- stool culture
- white blood cell count
Tests to consider
- serum Campylobacter serology
- blood culture
- intestinal biopsy
- fecal microscopy
Treatment algorithm
gastroenteritis
Contributors
Authors
Eli D. Ehrenpreis, MD, FACG, AGAF
Associate Director for Research
Internal Medicine Residency
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Park Ridge
IL
Disclosures
EDE is the CEO of E2Bio Life Sciences and E2Bio Consultants. EDE is the owner of patents related to the management of oral mucosal diseases, prevention of oral cancer, and treatment of anal pruritus.
Acknowledgements
Dr Eli D. Ehrenpreis would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Gregory Juckett, Dr Kristin Furfari, and Professor Sarah O'Brien, the previous contributors to this topic.
Disclosures
GJ and KF declare that they have no competing interests. SOB is the author of some references cited in this topic.
Peer reviewers
Justin T. Kupec, MD
Assistant Professor
Section of Digestive Diseases
Department of Medicine
West Virginia University
Morgantown
WV
Disclosures
JTK declares that he has no competing interests.
Stephen Morris-Jones, MBBS, MRCPath
Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Windeyer Institute of Medical Sciences
London
UK
Disclosures
SMJ declares that he has no competing interests.
Michael Bennish, MD
Senior Associate
Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore
MD
Disclosures
MB declares that he has no competing interests.
References
Key articles
World Health Organization. Campylobacter fact sheet. 1 May 2020 [internet publication].Full text
Shane AL, Mody RK, Crump JA, et al. 2017 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of infectious diarrhea. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 29;65(12):e45-80.Full text Abstract
Government of British Columbia. Laboratory. Nov 2023 [internet publication].Full text
Riddle MS, DuPont HL, Connor BA. ACG clinical guideline: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of acute diarrheal infections in adults. Am J Gastroenterol. 2016 May;111(5):602-22.Full text Abstract
World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO). WGO practice guideline: acute diarrhea. 2012 [internet publication].Full text
Reference articles
A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
Differentials
- Salmonella gastroenteritis
- Shigella gastroenteritis
- Yersinia gastroenteritis
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Laboratory guidelines
- Infectious diarrhea - guideline for investigation
More GuidelinesPatient information
Diarrhea in adults
Diarrhea in children
More Patient informationLog in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice
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