Campylobacter Jejuni superinfection causing toxic megacolon in asymptomatic ulcerative colitis: Case Report

Abstract

1. C. jejuni is the most common cause of foodborne illness in resource-rich settings and is associated with an increased short and long term risk of inflammatory bowel disease. 2. Severe colitis or toxic megacolon not associated with C difficile, should prompt a wider search for etiology, including other pathogens and unrecognized inflammatory bowel disease. 3. The use of stool cultures when indicated can guide directed antimicrobial therapy. Recent guidelines state that stool cultures should be considered in any moderate to severe diarrheal illness (Box 1). 4. Empiric antimicrobial therapy should be administered when indicated in acute diarrheal illness (Box 1). More research is needed to determine the role of antibiotics in preventing significant life-altering sequelae such as IBD, Guillain-Barre syndrome and reactive arthritis.