Epidemiology of Campylobacter spp. isolated from stool in a tertiary hospital in Cantabria, Northern Spain, from 2016 to 2020

Background: The incidence of Campylobacter coli has increased and with greater resistance to antibiotics than Campylobacter jejuni.

Objectives: To determine the epidemiology distribution of Campylobacter spp. in our health area, and the sensitivity to commonly tested antibiotics.

Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of cases of campylobacteriosis (2016-2020) recovered from stool cultures as laboratory routine protocol. Sensitivity was tested following EUCAST recommendations.

Results: Of 1319 campylobacteriosis (C. jejuni 87.7%, C. coli 12.3%) we found a decrease in C. jejuni cases in 2019, and an increase in C. coli. Statistically significant differences were seen in age and gender distribution. The resistance percentages have generally decreased, with higher percentages of resistance in C. coli than in C. jejuni, being significant for erythromycin.

Conclusions: There is not an increase of C. jejuni and its resistance but there is a not alarming increase of incidence of C. coli and its resistance in our health area.