CampylobacterBacteremia: A Challenging Diagnosis – First Tunisian Case Report and a Literature Review

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Morphological characteristics of C. coli isolate
Published Jun 21, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v104i06.6659
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Vol. 104 No. 06 (2026): Tunis Med Jun 2026

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Yoldez Nabli
Microbiology Department, Sahloul University Hospital, Sousse, Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
Sameh Boughattas
Microbiology Department, Sahloul University Hospital, Sousse, Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
Wafa Baya
Internal Medicine Department, Sahloul University Hospital, 4011, Sousse, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar Sousse, University of Sousse, 4002, Sousse, Tunisia
Imen Ben Hassine
Internal Medicine Department, Sahloul University Hospital, 4011, Sousse, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar Sousse, University of Sousse, 4002, Sousse, Tunisia
Wiem Romdhane
Internal Medicine Department, Sahloul University Hospital, 4011, Sousse, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar Sousse, University of Sousse, 4002, Sousse, Tunisia
Farah Azouzi
University of Sousse, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar Sousse, 4002, Sahloul University Hospital, Microbiology Department, 4011, Sousse, Tunisia
Lamia Tilouche
Microbiology Department, Sahloul University Hospital, Sousse, Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
Fatma Ben Fradj Ismail
Internal Medicine Department, Sahloul University Hospital, 4011, Sousse, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar Sousse, University of Sousse, 4002, Sousse, Tunisia
Abdelhalim Trabelsi
Microbiology Department, Sahloul University Hospital, Sousse, Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, University of Monastir, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia

Abstract

Introduction: Human infections with Campylobacter typically result from consuming undercooked chicken, leading to infectious gastroenteritis. Bacteremia is a rare but potentially serious complication, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
Observation: The clinical case presented here involved an 18-year-old patient with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) who presented with mucocutaneous jaundice. During the same hospitalization, the patient was diagnosed with secondary sclerosing cholangitis, considered to be
related to his underlying immunodeficiency, and he exhibited Campylobacter coli bacteremia without gastrointestinal symptoms or secondary localization. The diagnosis was particularly challenging both clinically and microbiologically. The patient was treated with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for 15 days, resulting in complete resolution of the Campylobacter coli bacteremia, with no relapse over two years of follow-up.
Conclusion: This case highlights that patients with XLA are at risk for systemic campylobacteriosis. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of Campylobacter bacteremia in Tunisia.

Keywords:

Campylobacter infections, Bacteremia, Blood culture, Delayed diagnosis, Immunocompromised host

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