Work

Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus: an unforeseen cause of abortion in regional Australia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Campylobacter fetus (C.fetus) subspecies fetus, a gram-negative bacterium, is an established cause of abortion and infertility in cattle, sheep and goats. Human infections have been rarely reported. In contrast to TORCH infections, this campylobacter species is hardly recognised as a cause of abortion in humans. Since 1947 after the first case report in France, there are only 11 reported cases in pregnant women worldwide and no published reports in Australia, pregnant or otherwise. The case in this study was compared to the first reported infection of C.fetus in 1947 to raise awareness and educate doctors and midwives, subsequently impacting prenatal and antenatal counselling in these regions. A Venn diagram was constructed to highlight the similarities between this and the index case. The similarities found included the clinical state of the patient post-abortion and the all-important history of exposure to farm animals that suffered recent deaths on the farms of both patients. Some of the differences included the time of onset of symptoms to the time of abortion, the choice of antibiotics by both treating teams and the presentation of sepsis, suggesting the importance of Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus as a perinatal infection.

Source: Access Microbiology

DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000889.v5

Authors: Immanuella Owusu-Ansa, Manjeera Ramadas, Nikhitha Jacob, Femi E Ayeni

Institutions: Nepean Hospital, The University of Sydney

Language: English

Topic: Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $858