EC Clinical and Medical Case Reports

Background: Campylobacter infection in children is relatively common and can present with symptoms similar to those of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intussusception, and appendicitis. Campylobacter infection can lead to immune-mediated complications, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and reactive arthritis.

Case Presentation: A 17-year-old girl presented with a three-day history of fever, right iliac fossa pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. An abdominal ultrasound revealed inflammatory changes in the terminal part of the ileum and proximal part of the cecum. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed concentric thickening of the terminal ileal wall, as well as wall thickening and loss of normal haustrations in the sigmoid colon. Suspecting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), steroids were initially recommended. However, stool culture results came back positive for Campylobacter jejuni, leading to the discontinuation of steroid therapy and the initiation of ciprofloxacin. Within three days, her symptoms improved, and she was discharged home.

Conclusion: Infectious colitis caused by Campylobacter is a common condition that can present with symptoms similar to those of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intussusception, and appendicitis. It is essential to exclude infectious causes, including Campylobacter, before conducting extensive investigations for other differential diagnoses.

 Keywords: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD); Intussusception; Campylobacter Infection; Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

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