Septic abortion associated with Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus infection: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

In contrast to the situation in cattle, goat and sheep, Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus only rarely causes disease in humans. While a major inducer of septic abortion in animals, only a minority of clinical infections in humans are found during pregnancy. Eleven cases have so far been described in pregnant women. Clinical symptomatology is usually mild during gestation but often leads to premature labor. Here we present a multigravida with positive cultures for C. fetus who went into septic shock. She completely recovered after delivery of a C. fetus-infected fetus at 18 weeks' gestation and treatment with a combination of cephazolin and gentamicin. C. fetus infections should be suspected in patients with intensive contact with (infected) cattle or after intake of unpasteurized dairy products.