Infections with Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter-like organisms in homosexual men

Ann Intern Med. 1984 Aug;101(2):187-92. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-101-2-187.

Abstract

In studies of the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms in homosexual men, Campylobacter jejuni was recovered from 10 of 158 men with, and 2 of 75 men without, intestinal symptoms. In addition, a heterogeneous group of Campylobacter-like organisms was identified in 26 symptomatic and 6 asymptomatic homosexual men, but in none of 150 heterosexual men and women. Infections with Campylobacter-like organisms, like infections with C. jejuni, were significantly associated with the sexual practice of anilinctus and were usually associated with diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and hematochezia; proctocolitis seen at sigmoidoscopy; increased numbers of leukocytes seen on rectal smears; acute inflammatory changes seen on rectal biopsy specimens; and a serum antibody response to the infecting organism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anal Canal / pathology
  • Campylobacter Infections / epidemiology*
  • Campylobacter Infections / pathology
  • Campylobacter Infections / transmission
  • Campylobacter fetus / isolation & purification
  • Demography
  • Endoscopy
  • Enteritis / epidemiology
  • Enteritis / microbiology
  • Enteritis / pathology
  • Female
  • Homosexuality*
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Rectum / pathology
  • Serologic Tests
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology
  • Sigmoidoscopy