treatment of Campylobacter jejuni
Last edited 06/2021 and last reviewed 12/2021
Antibiotic therapy is recommended mainly for the dysenteric Campylobacter gastroenteritis and most efficacious when started within 3 days after onset of the disease (1)
In children:
- seek expert advice
- preferred therapy – azithromycin
- alternative agents - ciprofloxacin, vancomycin (2)
In an adult:
- if systemically unwell and campylobacter suspected (such as undercooked meat and abdominal pain), consider clarithromycin 250mg to 500mg BD for 5 to 7 days, if treated early (within 3 days) (3)
Check the summary of product characteristics of drugs mentioned before prescribing.
Reference:
- (1) Guarino A et al. European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition/European Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases evidence-based guidelines for the management of acute gastroenteritis in children in Europe: update 2014. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014;59(1):132-52
- (2) Bruzzese E, Giannattasio A, Guarino A. Antibiotic treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children. F1000Research. 2018;7:193.
- (3) Public Health England (June 2021). Managing common infections: guidance for primary care