Clinical manifestations and risk factors of campylobacter gastroenteritis in children in Taiwan.

Background: Campylobacteriosis is a common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the potential risk factors, clinical and laboratory manifestations of children with campylobacteriosis under five years old in Taiwan.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted in ten major hospitals in Taiwan from 2014 to 2017. Laboratory tests and stool specimen were collected and analyzed together with questionnaire survey. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression model was used for identification of risk factors.

Results: A total of 64 campylobacteriosis cases were included with a median age of 25 months. We observed a less prolonged vomiting (p = 0.047), more bloody (p < 0.001) and mucoid (p = 0.005) stools, and lower AST levels (p = 0.020) in patients with campylobacteriosis. Lower parental educational attainment (p < 0.001), direct contact with acute gastroenteritis patients (p < 0.001), as well as diarrhea in the mutually cared children (p = 0.007) were linked to campylobacteriosis. Consumption of municipal water (p < 0.001), milk (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.118-0.979), and soft beverages (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.192-0.888) were identified as protective factors, while consuming takeout food (p = 0.032) and seafood (p = 0.019) increased risk of campylobacteriosis.

Conclusions: Shorter vomiting duration, bloody and mucoid stool, and less elevated AST levels are manifestations suggestive of campylobacteriosis. Risk factors of campylobacteriosis were low parental educational attainment, direct contact with acute gastroenteritis patients, diarrhea in mutually cared children, takeout food and seafood intake. Potential protective factors include municipal water, milk, and soft beverage intake.