Key Points

In 2019, surveillance of Campylobacter infections confirmed the epidemiological and biological trends already observed in recent years. Specifically, the data show:

• a predominance of the C. jejuni species;

• a higher number of cases and incidence among children;

• a predominance of infections among men, except among those aged 20 to 29;

• a seasonal peak during the summer months;

• high resistance to fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines, which has remained stable in recent years;

• no notable increase in resistance rates for the six antibiotics routinely tested;

• consumption of poultry products as the primary food (identified or suspected) as the source of contamination in outbreaks of foodborne illness.

The number of Campylobacter strains reported by the CNR has been increasing since 2013, the year direct online data entry by laboratories was implemented. This increase could reflect a rise in Campylobacter infections in France. However, this increase in the number of reported strains must be considered within the context of the surveillance system’s specific characteristics. Several factors, such as increased activity in the network’s laboratories or increased ordering of stool cultures, could lead to an increase in the number of isolates and reports over time. The implementation of multiplex PCR in many laboratories has also facilitated the detection of Campylobacter sp. in stool samples.