INFECTIOUS GASTROENTERITIS - ARE THEY ALL THE SAME

Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella spp are the most frequently cultur ed micro-organisms in infectious gastroenteritis among patients hospit alized at the departments of gastroenterology and geriatrics. As a who le, the hospitalized patient population with Campylobacter gastroenter itis is a younger one, compared to the Salmonella-infected group. Both pathogens can be associated with a biochemical pancreatitis, which is usually without clinical importance. However, serious complications c an occur, with a predominance of visceritis for C.jejuni, and renal fu nction impairment for Salmonella spp. Finally, an asymptomatic carrier state is well known in the Salmonella infection spectrum, whereas C. jejuni might cause a recurrent disease in some patients.