From the Guidelines
Azithromycin is the recommended first-line treatment for campylobacter infection, particularly for severe cases or those with high fever, bloody diarrhea, or prolonged symptoms, due to its efficacy and lower risk of resistance compared to fluoroquinolones 1. When considering treatment for campylobacter infection, it's essential to assess the severity of illness and the potential impact on the patient's activities and plans.
- For mild cases, supportive care with rest, hydration, and electrolyte replacement may be sufficient, as the infection usually resolves within a week.
- For more severe cases, antibiotic treatment with azithromycin (500mg daily for 3 days) is recommended, as it has been shown to be effective in reducing symptom duration and is generally well-tolerated 1.
- Ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, may also be considered, but its use is limited by increasing resistance rates, particularly in certain geographic regions 1.
- Treatment should begin early, ideally within 4 days of symptom onset, to achieve the best results.
- Patients with compromised immune systems, pregnant women, and the elderly may require more aggressive treatment and closer monitoring.
- During recovery, it's essential to avoid dairy products, fatty foods, and caffeine, which can worsen symptoms. The choice of antimicrobial agent may change due to evolving resistance patterns, and it's crucial to consider the potential risks and benefits of treatment, particularly in immunocompromised patients 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Infectious Diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli (enterotoxigenic strains), Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella boydii†, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri or Shigella sonnei† when antibacterial therapy is indicated.
Treatment for Campylobacter: Ciprofloxacin is indicated for the treatment of infectious diarrhea caused by Campylobacter jejuni when antibacterial therapy is indicated 2.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Campylobacter
- The treatment for Campylobacter infections typically involves the use of antibiotics, with the choice of antibiotic depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's overall health 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- Erythromycin has been shown to be an effective treatment for Campylobacter enteritis, with a high susceptibility rate among Campylobacter isolates 3.
- Azithromycin is also a commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of Campylobacter infections, particularly in areas where ciprofloxacin resistance is prevalent 5, 6, 7.
- Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid has been proposed as a treatment for campylobacteriosis, with a high rate of susceptibility among Campylobacter isolates 7.
Antibiotic Resistance
- Campylobacter species have developed resistance to various antibiotics, including beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines 3, 4, 7.
- The high level of antibiotic resistance among Campylobacter isolates requires a more rational approach to treatment, with the use of antibiotics guided by susceptibility testing 3, 7.
- Personal exposure to macrolides does not appear to increase the risk of macrolide-resistant Campylobacter infections, suggesting that the source of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter may be environmental or foodborne 7.
Patient-Specific Treatment
- The treatment of Campylobacter infections in children typically involves the use of azithromycin, with ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin recommended for severe cases of salmonellosis 6.
- In adults, the treatment of Campylobacter infections may involve the use of erythromycin, azithromycin, or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's overall health 3, 5, 7.