Gut Pathogens · Published 2026-04-09 · DOI 10.1186/s13099-026-00833-5
Abstract Objectives Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis but rarely causes bacteraemia, except in immunocompromised hosts. Carbapenem resistance in C. jejuni remains uncommon, and the clinical evolution of resistance during infection has not been well described. Methods We report a case series of three immunocompromised adults with recurrent C. jejuni bacteraemia at a tertiary hospital in Singapore between 2024 and 2025. Results All three patients had underlying haematologic or autoimmune disorders associated with hypogammaglobulinaemia. Each experienced multiple episodes of C. jejuni bacteraemia despite prolonged carbapenem therapy, with isolates showing stepwise increases in meropenem minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) from ≤ 0.05 mg/L to as high as 16 mg/L. No abscesses or drainable foci were identified radiologically. Two patients received regular intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) replacement after low serum IgG levels were detected. In all cases, recurrences ceased after introduction of eravacycline therapy, with or without concurrent oral gentamicin, in combination with IVIG support. One patient later died of progression of underlying lymphoma. Conclusions This series demonstrates the potential for acquired carbapenem resistance to develop in C. jejuni during recurrent bacteraemia in immunocompromised hosts. Eravacycline, alongside immunoglobulin replacement, may represent a viable therapeutic option in such refractory infections.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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