What are the indications for antibiotic treatment in cases of Campylobacter infection?

Indications for antibiotic treatment in Campylobacter infection primarily include severe or prolonged illness, immunocompromised status, or systemic infection. Antibiotics are generally not recommended for routine cases of Campylobacter gastroenteritis, as most infections are self-limiting and resolve without specific antimicrobial therapy ¹.

Antibiotic treatment should be considered in patients with severe symptoms such as high fever, bloody diarrhoea, or signs of invasive infection, and in those who are immunosuppressed or have significant comorbidities that increase the risk of complications ¹. Additionally, antibiotic therapy may be warranted in cases where symptoms persist beyond one week or in patients at risk of systemic spread, such as neonates or the elderly ¹.

When antibiotics are indicated, macrolides (e.g., erythromycin or azithromycin) are typically preferred due to their efficacy against Campylobacter species and favourable safety profile (Veldhuyzen van Zanten and Sherman, 1994). Fluoroquinolones may be used but resistance is increasingly reported, so local susceptibility patterns should guide therapy (Veldhuyzen van Zanten and Sherman, 1994).

In summary, antibiotic treatment for Campylobacter infection is reserved for severe, prolonged, or complicated cases, or for vulnerable patient groups, aligning with UK guidelines on antimicrobial stewardship to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use and resistance development ¹ (Veldhuyzen van Zanten and Sherman, 1994).