Oncogenic potential of Campylobacter infection in the gastrointestinal tract: narrative review

Abstract

Background

Campylobacter jejuni is the leading cause of zoonotic gastroenteritis. The other emerging group of Campylobacters spp. are part of human oral commensal, represented by C. concisus (CC), which has been recently linked to non-oral conditions. Although long-term gastrointestinal (GI) complications from these two groups of Campylobacters have been previously reviewed individually, overall impact of Campylobacter infection on GI carcinogenesis and their inflammatory precursor lesions has not been assessed collectively.

Aims

To evaluate the available evidence concerning the association between Campylobacter infection/colonization and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), reflux esophagitis/metaplasia colorectal cancer (CRC) and esophageal cancer (EC).

Methods

We performed a comprehensive literature search of PubMed for relevant original publications and systematic reviews/meta-analyses of epidemiological and clinical studies. In addition, we gathered additional information concerning microbiological data, animal models and mechanistic data from in vitro studies.

Results

Both retrospective and prospective studies on IBD showed relatively consistent increased risk associated with Campylobacter infection. Despite lack of supporting prospective studies, retrospective studies based on tissue/fecal microbiome revealed consistent enrichment of Campylobacter in CRC samples. Studies on EC precursor lesions (esophagitis and metaplasia) were generally supportive for the association with Campylobacter, while inconsistent observations on EC. Studies on both IBD and EC precursors suggested the predominant role of CC, but studies on CRC were not informative of species.

Conclusions

There is sufficient evidence calling for concerted effort in unveiling direct and indirect connection of this organism to colorectal and esophageal cancer in humans.

Keywords:

• Campylobacter jejuni
• campylobacter. concisus
• colorectal cancer
• esophageal cancer
• inflammatory bowel disease
• barrett’s esophagus
• gastro-esophageal reflux disease

Author contributions

IK drafted the manuscript. All authors contributed to critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.