New risk assessment of a pathogen causing diarrheal diseases

The bacterium Arcobacter butzleri was founded in 1991 Stool samples isolated from humans and animals suffering from diarrhea. Due to its phenotypic and biochemical similarity to Campylobacter spp. and its ability to grow even in contact with oxygen, the species was initially assigned to the genus Campylobacter assigned, but later as A. butzleri into the new genre Arcobacter transferred.

At A. butzleri These are Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, S-shaped rods that can grow in a temperature range of 15 to 42 °C under aerobic and microaerophilic conditions and at medium pH values ​​between 5.5 and 8.0. Arcobacter spp. have been detected in fecal samples of healthy farm animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, and poultry, as well as in products derived from these animals. Furthermore, Arcobacter ssp. found in seafood and drinking water samples.

In sick animals, infections with Arcobacter butzleri with abortion, reproductive disorders, mastitis and Diarrhea associated with diarrhea, enteritis, and bacteremia in humans. Infection with the bacterium and the resulting disease can affect both those with a healthy immune system and those with a weakened immune system. The disease is usually easily treated with antibiotics.

The transfer of A. butzleri occurs predominantly fecal-oral by recording Contaminated food , especially raw or undercooked meat, or contaminated drinking water. The exact mechanism of pathogenicity of the bacterium is not yet fully understood.

A. butzleri is assigned to risk group 2 in the Technical Rules for Biological Agents “Classification of Prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archaea)” (TRBA 466) and is additionally marked with “ht” (pathogenic to humans and animals).

The ZKBS assigns Arcobacter butzleri according to Section 5 Paragraph 1 GenTSV in conjunction with the criteria in Annex 1 GenTSV as a donor and recipient organism for genetic engineering work of the Risk group 2 The bacterium has been isolated from environmental samples as well as from animals and humans. Due to its association with various diarrheal diseases, it is assumed that A. butzleri for humans and vertebrates.

The ZKBS statement can be found at File number 45241.0254 can be retrieved.