The clinical spectrum of Campylobacter fetus infections: report of five cases and review of the literature.

Five cases of extra-intestinal Campylobacter fetus infections are described and an additional 242 cases are reviewed from the literature. A variety of clinical syndromes are encountered including endocarditis; thrombophlebitis; meningitis; pneumonia and pleuritis; and infectious arthritis. Thirty-eight per cent of patients presented with bacteremia enteritis. Campylobacter fetus demonstrates a preference for endovascular surfaces. The majority of patients are male and have an underlying illness. Mortality is increased in patients infected with C. fetus intestinalis. Therapy is based on in vitro antibiotic susceptibility tests although the organism is usually sensitive to an aminoglycoside and chloramphenicol.