Objective: Campylobacter gastroenteritis is one of the most frequently encountered causes of acute bacterial gastroenteritis. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter species isolated from the stool specimens of patients with acute gastroenteritis.

Materials and Methods: In this study 379 stool specimens obtained from patients admitted to in-patient and out-patient clinics of Gülhane Military Medicine Academy Hospital between 01 July and 30 September 2008 were included. For identification of Campylobacter species, the stool specimens were inoculated onto modified Charcoal Cefoperazon Deoxycholate Agar and incubated at 42° C for 48-72 hours in microaerophilic atmosphere within anaerobic jar. Campylobacter species were identified according to Gram staining, typical motility, oxidase and catalase reactions, indoxyl acetate test, hippurate hydrolyzation, nalidixic acid and cephalothin susceptibility testing and H2S production. Antibiotic suscebtibility of the Campylobacter strains were studied by agar dilution method according to CLSI guidelines.

Results: In 25 (6.6 %) of 379 stool cultures, gastrointestinal pathogens were isolated. Campylobacter species. were isolated in 14 samples (3.7%) and Salmonella species. in 11 samples (2.9%) as etiological agents of gastroenteritis. There were no Shigella species. isolation from the samples. Thirteen (92.9%) of Campylobacter isolates were Campylobacter jejuni, and one (7.1%) was C. coli. All Campylobacter strains were susceptible to erythromycin except one. The rates of resistance to other antibiotics were as follows: ciprofloxacin 64.3%, tetracycline and doxycycline 35.7%.

Conclusion: This study indicated that Campylobacter species were one of the most common causes of acute gastroenteritis in our region. Campylobacter species should be routinely investigated in the stool samples of patients with acute gastroenteritis. Macrolides are the first choice for treatment of campylobacter gastroenteritis however, the high rate of resistance to quinolones should be considered in antibiotherapy decion making.