Comparison of Clinical Symptoms in Patients with Diarrhea Caused by Campylobacter and Diarrhea Caused by other Bacteria Referring to Tehran Hospitals

Campylobacteriosis is the most common reason for diarrhea and gastroenteritis in humans caused by Campylobacter species. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of clinical symptoms in patients with Campylobacter-induced diarrhea admitted to hospitals in Tehran.
The clinical and demographic data of patients with diarrhea admitted to hospitals in Tehran were recorded. Stool samples were obtained from all patients. Samples were transferred to the microbiology laboratory using the transporter medium Cary Blair and were cultured in the Campy_BAP as selective media. Bacterial isolates were identified using biochemical test. Results were analyzed using SPSS software.
Findings: Of the 434 patients studied, 45% were female and 55% male. Of this number 33 (7.6%) of patients were positive for Campylobacter. 18 of which were female and 15 were male. The incidence of clinical symptoms seen in the patients was as follows: 93% nausea, 100%, anorexia and fever. The abdominal pain in 94%, of patients, headache in 25% and 89% in weakness o were observed. 89% and 95%of patients had Blood and mucus in stool samples respectively.
Discussion & Based on current study results, Campylobacretjejuni was cause of 7.6% diarrhea cases. Although anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, and bloody stools was higher in patients with Campylobacter compare to other groups, but no significant association between clinical signs and symptoms of infection with Campylobacteriosis was found. Based on this study we recommend that for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal infections caused by this bacterium a culture should be done.