Arcobacter butzleri, A. skirrowii and A. cryaerophilus — potential emerging human pathogens

Abstract

Three species ofArcobacter(formerly known as ‘aerotolerant campylobacters’) have been recovered from humans and animals:A. butzleri, A. cryaerophilusandA. skirrowii. Of these three species,A. butzleriserotypes 1 and 5 are the most commonly reported human pathogens, althoughA. skirrowiimay be overlooked due to its slow growth. A fourth species,A. nitrofigilis,has been reported only from the roots ofSpartina alterniflora,a salt marsh plant. Arcobacters appear to be resistant to antimicrobial agents typically used in the treatment of diarrhoeal illness caused byCampylobacterspp., e.g. erythromycin, other macrolide antibiotics, tetracycline and chloramphenicol. This review covers the occurrence of arcobacters as pathogens of farm animals and humans as well as possible routes of transmission via water and food. © 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins