🦠 Harmful Pathogen · Foodborne
Campylobacter spp.: The Leading Cause of Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Campylobacter is the number one cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, surpassing even Salmonella. In South Africa, the NICD reported 694 Campylobacter isolates in 2023, with Gauteng and the Western Cape accounting for 86% of cases. Most infections come from undercooked poultry. While usually self-limiting, severe cases can trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome, a serious autoimmune nerve condition.
⚠ Harmful pathogen
🧬 Detectable by PCR stool test
🏥 No referral needed
#1
cause of bacterial
gastroenteritis worldwide
gastroenteritis worldwide
Medically Reviewed
Dr. Samantha Naidoo
MB ChB, FCP (SA) · Medical Director, Epicentre Laboratories
Last reviewed: 19 March 2026
At a glance
Why is Campylobacter dangerous?
#1
most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis
Surpasses Salmonella
🍗
primarily from undercooked poultry
Chicken is the main source
GBS
can trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome
Autoimmune nerve damage
2-5d
incubation period before symptoms appear
Delayed onset
PCR
detectable in Epicentre gut tests
Walk-in or home kit
Could Campylobacter Be Affecting You?
6 quick questions. Not a diagnosis, but it may help you decide whether testing is worthwhile.
How it works
How does Campylobacter cause harm?
⚠
Invades intestinal lining
Campylobacter penetrates the mucus layer and invades intestinal epithelial cells, causing inflammation, cell damage, and bloody diarrhoea.
🔥
Triggers immune cross-reaction
Molecular mimicry between Campylobacter surface molecules and human nerve tissue can trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome in rare cases.
🧬
Low infectious dose
As few as 500 organisms can cause infection, far fewer than Salmonella or E. coli. Cross-contamination during food preparation is a major risk.
🔁
Post-infectious complications
Even after clearance, Campylobacter can leave lasting effects: reactive arthritis, IBS, and in rare cases, permanent nerve damage.
Warning signs
Symptoms of Campylobacter infection or overgrowth
Watery or bloody diarrhoea
Severe abdominal cramping and pain
Fever and chills
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite and dehydration
Most Campylobacter infections resolve within a week. But in rare cases, the immune cross-reaction can trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome, causing ascending paralysis that can be life-threatening.
High fever (38-40 degrees C)
Severe fatigue and dehydration
Reactive arthritis (joint pain weeks after infection)
Guillain-Barre syndrome: weakness, tingling, paralysis (rare)
Post-infectious IBS symptoms
Campylobacter infection or overgrowth is linked to the following conditions.
Gastroenteritis: the leading bacterial cause of food-borne diarrhoea globally
Guillain-Barre syndrome: Campylobacter is the most common trigger for this autoimmune nerve condition
Reactive arthritis: joint inflammation weeks after infection, can persist for months
Post-infectious IBS: persistent bowel disturbance after clearance
Bacteraemia: bloodstream infection in immunocompromised patients
"
"Campylobacter is the bacterial infection I see most often in clinical practice. The message I repeat: separate chopping boards for chicken, cook poultry thoroughly, and wash hands after handling raw meat. Most cases are entirely preventable."Dr. Samantha Naidoo, MB ChB, FCP (SA), Medical Director, Epicentre
How it progresses
The progression of Campylobacter infection
1
Exposure: undercooked poultry, raw milk, or contaminated water
Campylobacter is ingested from contaminated food or water. In South Africa, informal poultry slaughter and braai culture mean exposure is common. The low infectious dose means even minor cross-contamination can cause illness.
2
2-5 day incubation
Bacteria multiply in the small intestine during this silent period. No symptoms yet.
3
Acute gastroenteritis
Sudden onset of diarrhoea (often bloody), severe cramping, fever, and vomiting. Lasts 3-7 days in most cases.
4
Recovery or complications
Most people recover fully. A small percentage develop reactive arthritis or, rarely, Guillain-Barre syndrome weeks after the initial infection.
5
Post-infectious effects
Even after bacterial clearance, gut microbiome disruption can persist. IBS-like symptoms may continue for weeks or months.
The good news: Most Campylobacter infections are self-limiting and resolve within a week. Hydration is the most important treatment. Antibiotics are reserved for severe cases. Prevention through food safety is highly effective.
Prevention and treatment
How to protect yourself from Campylobacter
Cook poultry thoroughly
Internal temperature of 74 degrees C. No pink meat. Use a meat thermometer.
Separate chopping boards
Never use the same board for raw poultry and ready-to-eat foods.
Hand washing
Thorough hand washing with soap after handling raw poultry, before eating, and after using the toilet.
Probiotics after infection
L. rhamnosus GG and S. boulardii help restore gut balance after Campylobacter gastroenteritis.
Avoid unpasteurised milk
Raw milk is a significant Campylobacter source. Choose pasteurised products.
Rebuild gut diversity after infection
High-fibre diet and fermented foods accelerate microbiome recovery.
Testing
Test for Campylobacter at Epicentre
Campylobacter is included in the Complete Gut Profile and Gut Deep Dive. No referral needed.
Gut Essentials
17 probiotic species only. Does not include Campylobacter.
R1,995
~R499/mo with Payflex
Complete Gut Profile
✓ Includes Campylobacter
45 targets: probiotics, pathogens, parasites, fungi, H. pylori.
R4,850
~R1,213/mo with Payflex · 5% student discount
Gut Deep Dive
✓ Includes Campylobacter + disease associations
Everything in Complete plus disease association analysis.
R5,620
~R1,405/mo with Payflex · 5% student discount
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about Campylobacter
Can I supplement Campylobacter?
You do not supplement Campylobacter. It is a pathogen. After infection, probiotics (L. rhamnosus GG, S. boulardii) and a high-fibre diet help restore gut balance.
What foods are relevant to Campylobacter?
Thoroughly cook all poultry. Avoid unpasteurised milk and untreated water. Use separate chopping boards for raw meat. After infection, fermented foods and high-fibre diet support recovery.
Do I need a referral for testing?
No. Walk into any Epicentre branch in Durban (Hillcrest), Cape Town (Observatory), or Johannesburg (Parktown North). Or order a home stool collection kit.
Which test detects Campylobacter?
Campylobacter is included in the Complete Gut Profile (R4,850) and Gut Deep Dive (R5,620). The Gut Essentials (R1,995) covers probiotics only and does not include pathogen detection.
Find Out If Campylobacter Is in Your Gut
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