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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania » Eastern Regional Research Center » Characterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #340751
Research Project: Molecular Characterization of Foodborne Pathogen Responses to Stress

Location: Characterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens

Title: Campylobacter and hemolytic uremic syndrome

Author
item Smith, James
item Gunther, Nereus - Jack

Submitted to: Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/2018
Publication Date: 2/13/2019
Citation: Smith, J., Gunther, N.W. 2019. Campylobacter and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. 16(2). https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2018.2513.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2018.2513

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter infections have been associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). However, a mechanism for how Campylobacter induces HUS has not been proposed by investigators. The most common bacterial inducer of HUS are the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Campylobacter species have not been shown to produce Shiga toxin (Stx) or to possess a genetic element capable of producing a Stx-like toxin. The neuramindase associated with pneumococcal HUS has likewise not been observed in Campylobacter. Another pathway for HUS development, atypical HUS (aHUS), is due to mutations in complement regulatory proteins leading to uncontrolled complement activation. While aHUS can be triggered by gastroenteritis/diarrhea, there are no data available indicating that Campylobacter gastroenteritis/diarrhea can specifically trigger aHUS. In the absence of any clear mechanisms, it remains doubtful that Campylobacter can actually cause HUS.