More than 16 Campylobacter species have been identified,
but most clinically recognized infections in immunocompetent
adults are due to C. jejuni and, less
frequently, C. coli.
12 Campylobacters colonize the colon
of farm and domestic animals, including cattle, sheep,
goats, pigs, and particularly poultry, which serve as the
main source of human infection.13–15 In microbiologic
surveys of raw meat products, broiler chicken appears
to be a common source of contamination, with C. jejuni
detected in 31% to 83% of samples.15,16
The incidence of Campylobacter infection varies
throughout the world but appears to be declining in