Emerg Infect DiseidEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-6059Centers for Disease Control100816692627687Research ArticleCampylobacter jejuni--an emerging foodborne pathogen.AltekruseS. F.saltekru@vt.eduSternN. J.FieldsP. I.SwerdlowD. L.U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.Jan-Feb1999512835

Campylobacter jejuni is the most commonly reported bacterial cause of foodborne infection in the United States. Adding to the human and economic costs are chronic sequelae associated with C. jejuni infection--Guillian-Barré syndrome and reactive arthritis. In addition, an increasing proportion of human infections caused by C. jejuni are resistant to antimicrobial therapy. Mishandling of raw poultry and consumption of undercooked poultry are the major risk factors for human campylobacteriosis. Efforts to prevent human illness are needed throughout each link in the food chain.