Which organism is responsible for the leading cause of diarrheal illness in the US?

Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as the leading cause of diarrheal illness in the United States due to several key characteristics. This bacterium is commonly found in undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk, and contaminated water. The transmission often occurs through the consumption of these contaminated food or beverages.

In terms of its prevalence, epidemiological studies have shown that Campylobacter infections are more common than those caused by other bacteria listed, like Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. Although E. coli can also result in severe gastrointestinal disease, particularly strains that produce Shiga toxin (like E. coli O157:H7), they are not as widespread in terms of the overall number of infections.

Salmonella enterica is another significant cause of foodborne illness, but its incidence rates are lower than those of Campylobacter jejuni when considering all cases of diarrhea. Listeria monocytogenes, while dangerous and responsible for serious illness, especially in pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, leads to illness much less frequently than the enteric pathogens such as Campylobacter.

Overall, the high incidence of Campylobacter jejuni infections across various populations, combined with its prominent presence in the food supply