The study of infectious intestinal disease in England: risk factors for cases of infectious intestinal disease with Campylobacter jejuni infection

This is a case-control study aimed at identifying risk factors for intestin al infection with Campylobacter jejuni. Cases were defined as subjects with diarrhoea occurring in community cohorts or presenting to General Practiti oners (GPs) with Campylobacter jejuni in stools. Controls were selected fro m GP lists or cohorts, matched by age, sex., and GP practice. Travel abroad and consumption of chicken in a restaurant were statistically significantl y associated with being a case. There was no statistically significant risk associated with consumption of chicken other than in restaurants nor with reported domestic kitchen hygiene practices. Consumption of some foods was associated with a lower risk of being a case. Most cases remained unexplain ed. We suggest that infection with low numbers of micro-organisms, and indi vidual susceptibility may play a greater role in the causation of campyloba cter infection than previously thought. It is possible that in mild, sporad ic cases infection may result from cross contamination from kitchen hygiene practices usually regarded as acceptable. Chicken may be a less important vehicle of infection for sporadic cases than for outbreaks, although its ro le as a source of infection in both settings requires further clarification in particular in relation to the effect of domestic hygiene practices. The potential effect of diet in reducing the risk of campylobacteriosis requir es exploration.