Virulence factors of foodborne pathogen Campylobacterjejuni

• Published in: Microbial pathogenesis 2021-12, Vol.161 (Pt A), p.105265-105265, Article 105265
• Main Authors: Lopes, Graciela Volz, Ramires, Tassiana, Kleinubing, Natalie Rauber, Scheik, Letícia Klein, Fiorentini, Ângela Maria, Padilha da Silva, Wladimir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesion; Campylobacter Infections; Campylobacter jejuni; campylobacteriosis; Diarrhea; Foodborne Diseases; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Invasion; Motility; Thermophilic campylobacter; Virulence Factors
• ISSN: 0882-4010; 1096-1208
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105265

Campylobacter jejuni is a highly frequent cause of gastrointestinal foodborne disease in humans throughout the world. Disease outcomes vary from mild to severe diarrhea, and in rare cases the Guillain-Barré syndrome or reactive arthritis can develop as a post-infection complication. Transmission to humans usually occurs via the consumption of a range of foods, especially those associated with the consumption of raw or undercooked poultry meat, unpasteurized milk, and water-based environmental sources. When associated to food or water ingestion, the C. jejuni enters the human host intestine via the oral route and colonizes the distal ileum and colon. When it adheres and colonizes the intestinal cell surfaces, the C. jejuni is expected to express several putative virulence factors, which cause damage to the intestine either directly, by cell invasion and/or production of toxin(s), or indirectly, by triggering inflammatory responses. This review article highlights various C. jejuni characteristics — such as motility and chemotaxis — that contribute to the biological fitness of the pathogen, as well as factors involved in human host cell adhesion and invasion, and their potential role in the development of the disease. We have analyzed and critically discussed nearly 180 scientific articles covering the latest improvements in the field. •Campylobacter jejuni is a frequent cause of gastrointestinal foodborne disease in humans.•Several virulence factors contribute to Campylobacter jejuni pathogenesis.•Both motility and chemotaxis are essential to C. jejuni colonize the chicken and mammalian gut.•The Campylobacter invasion antigens (Cia) is required to invade the host cells and ensure intracellular survival.•Further studies are crucial to understanding the role of these factors in the pathogenesis of human campylobacteriosis.