Campylobacter species were first recognized in 1906 by
John McFadyean, who described comma-shaped spiral
organisms associated with abortions in cattle and sheep.
Initially named Vibrio fetus, this pathogen was reclassified
as Campylobacter fetus in 1973.2,3 Human disease was first
described 1959, when organisms were isolated from the
blood of children with acute dysentery.4 Campylobacter
was first isolated from fecal specimens of patients with
acute enteritis in 1972.5
These initial cases were followed
by other sporadic cases worldwide, and community
outbreaks due to contaminated water, unpasteurized
milk, and community meals were identified.6–11 In 1978,
a large community outbreak associated with the town
water system affected 3000 people in Bennington, VT.8