Determinants of Campylobacter infection and association with growth and enteric inflammation in children under 2 years of age in low-resource settings

Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 20;9(1):17124. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-53533-3.

Abstract

Campylobacter species infections have been associated with malnutrition and intestinal inflammation among children in low-resource settings. However, it remains unclear whether that association is specific to Campylobacter jejuni/coli. The aim of this study was to assess the association between both all Campylobacter species infections and Campylobacter jejuni/coli infections on growth and enteric inflammation in children aged 1-24 months. We analyzed data from 1715 children followed from birth until 24 months of age in the MAL-ED birth cohort study, including detection of Campylobacter species by enzyme immunoassay and Campylobacter jejuni/coli by quantitative PCR in stool samples. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentration in stool, used as a quantitative index of enteric inflammation, was measured. The incidence rate per 100 child-months of infections with Campylobacter jejuni/coli and Campylobacter species during 1-24 month follow up were 17.7 and 29.6 respectively. Female sex of child, shorter duration of exclusive breastfeeding, lower maternal age, mother having less than 3 living children, maternal educational level of <6 years, lack of routine treatment of drinking water, and unimproved sanitation were associated with Campylobacter jejuni/coli infection. The cumulative burden of both Campylobacter jejuni/coli infections and Campylobacter species were associated with poor growth and increased intestinal inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Campylobacter Infections / microbiology
  • Campylobacter Infections / pathology*
  • Campylobacter jejuni / pathogenicity*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diarrhea / microbiology
  • Diarrhea / pathology
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Inflammation / microbiology*
  • Inflammation / pathology*
  • Intestine, Small / microbiology
  • Intestine, Small / pathology
  • Male