Review
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World J Clin Infect Dis. Nov 25, 2013; 3(4): 58-69
Published online Nov 25, 2013. doi: 10.5495/wjcid.v3.i4.58
Is there an unrecognised role for Campylobacter infections in (chronic) inflammatory diseases?
Rogier Louwen, John P Hays
Rogier Louwen, John P Hays, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, 3015GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Author contributions: Both authors wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Rogier Louwen, PhD, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, s-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands. r.louwen@erasmusmc.nl
Telephone: +31-10-7037297 Fax: +31-10-7043875
Received: September 7, 2013
Revised: October 30, 2013
Accepted: November 15, 2013
Published online: November 25, 2013
Processing time: 79 Days and 23.9 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip:Campylobacter species are able to induce both gastrointestinal and systemic infections in humans and have been linked not only to acute disease, but also to a wide range of (chronic) inflammatory diseases. In this respect, the organism is particularly associated with inflammatory peripheral nerve disease Guillain-Barré syndrome and reactive arthritis. However, the true role of Campylobacter in other human inflammatory diseases remains to be determined. This review indicates that the actual role of Campylobacter in human inflammatory diseases may be largely underestimated and suggests that further research is necessary in order to accurately determine the importance of Campylobacter infection in these diseases.