# Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus: an unforeseen cause of abortion in regional Australia

## TL;DR

Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus, a rare cause of abortion in humans, is identified in a case in Australia, highlighting its potential impact on pregnancy and the need for awareness among medical professionals.

## Contribution

This study reports the first case of C. fetus subsp. fetus causing abortion in Australia and emphasizes its clinical significance.

## Key findings

- C. fetus subsp. fetus is a rare but possible cause of abortion in humans.
- The case shares similarities with a 1947 case, including exposure to farm animals and post-abortion clinical states.
- Differences in symptom onset and treatment highlight the variability in clinical presentation and management.

## Abstract

Campylobacter fetus (C. fetus) subsp. fetus, a Gram-negative bacterium, is an established cause of abortion and infertility in cattle, sheep and goats. Human infections have been rarely reported. In contrast to TORCH infections, this Campylobacter species is hardly recognized as a cause of abortion in humans. Since 1947 after the first case report in France, there have been only 11 reported cases of pregnant women worldwide and no published reports in Australia, pregnant or otherwise. The case in this study was compared to the first reported infection of C. fetus in 1947 to raise awareness and educate doctors and midwives, subsequently impacting prenatal and antenatal counselling in these regions. A Venn diagram was constructed to highlight the similarities between this and the index case. The similarities found included the clinical state of the patient post-abortion and the all-important history of exposure to farm animals that suffered recent deaths on the farms of both patients. Some of the differences included the time of onset of symptoms to the time of abortion, the choice of antibiotics by both treating teams and the presentation of sepsis, suggesting the importance of C. fetus subsp. fetus as a perinatal infection.