IMPLICATIONS OF Campylobacter spp. AS A FOODBORNE PATHOGEN

Abstract

Campylobacter spp. is an antimicrobial-resistant foodborne pathogen. It is considered the first etiological agent of diarrhea in humans in developed countries and ranks second or third in developing countries. The thermotolerant Campylobacter species are recognized as a cause of campylobacteriosis, which is a zoonosis associated with the consumption of animal foods. This disease is usually self-limited, and antibiotics should be used to treat severe infections due to the development of antibiotic resistance patterns of Campylobacter spp., which result from the misuse of these drugs in animals or humans. Although foodborne diseases are considered notifiable, antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter spp. is not required by law to be reported in Chile. In fact, its notification to reference laboratories is low, and it is not considered in the Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos (Food Sanitary Regulation) of Chile. This review aims at describing Campylobacter spp. as an antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogen, based on recent scientific publications, also recognizing the importance of this pathogen in the food industry.