campylobacter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “campylobacter” mean?
A genus of bacteria, primarily Campylobacter jejuni, that is a common cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in humans.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A genus of bacteria, primarily Campylobacter jejuni, that is a common cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in humans.
The illness (campylobacteriosis) caused by infection with this bacterium, typically characterized by diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations associated with food poisoning and poor hygiene.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general discourse, but common in specialist fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “campylobacter” in a Sentence
N (as subject of 'cause')N (object of 'test for')N (preceded by 'infection with')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “campylobacter” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The poultry was found to be campylobacter-positive.
- The sample was campylobacter-contaminated.
American English
- The chicken tested campylobacter-positive.
- The outbreak was linked to campylobacter-contaminated milk.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- A campylobacter infection can be serious.
- The campylobacter rate in UK flocks is monitored.
American English
- Campylobacter illness is reportable in most states.
- The campylobacter sample was sent to the lab.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in food industry risk assessments and insurance claims related to contamination.
Academic
Common in microbiology, epidemiology, veterinary science, and public health research papers.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be mentioned in news reports about food poisoning outbreaks.
Technical
The primary register. Used in medical diagnostics, laboratory reports, food safety regulations, and veterinary medicine.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “campylobacter”
- Misspelling as 'campylobactor', 'campylobacteria'. Incorrect pluralisation as 'campylobacters' (usually treated as a mass noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is pronounced /ˌkæmpɪloʊˈbæktɚ/ in American English, with the stress on the third syllable.
It is a genus of bacteria, specifically a curved or spiral-shaped bacterium.
The main symptoms include diarrhoea (often bloody), fever, stomach cramps, and nausea, typically lasting up to a week.
The most common route of transmission is through consuming contaminated, undercooked poultry, unpasteurised milk, or contaminated water.
A genus of bacteria, primarily Campylobacter jejuni, that is a common cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in humans.
Campylobacter is usually technical / medical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'camp' where 'bacteria' are 'bent' (from Greek 'kampylos' = bent). A camp for bent rods (the bacteria's shape).
Conceptual Metaphor
PATHOGEN AS INVADER (e.g., 'campylobacter invaded the gut lining').
Practice
Quiz
Campylobacter is most commonly associated with which of the following?