Campylobacter Jejuni Found in Samples of Suspected GBS Patients in Pune, Confirms NIV

GBS Outbreak Sparks Concerns Over Unregulated RO Water Plants in Pimpri Chinchwad  

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The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) has identified the presence of Campylobacter jejuni in samples from suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) patients in Pune. This bacterial infection is a known trigger for GBS, a rare neurological disorder, according to officials.

Pune district has seen an alarming rise in suspected GBS cases since January 2025, with a total of 67 cases reported so far. These include:

  • 39 cases in Pune Rural
  • 13 cases in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) areas
  • 12 cases in Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) limits
  • 3 cases from outstation patients

On Tuesday, the PMC sent blood, urine, and fecal samples from 23 suspected GBS patients to ICMR-NIV for analysis. According to results released on Thursday:

  • Three samples tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni.
  • Nine fecal samples were positive for norovirus, which causes gastroenteritis and can rarely trigger GBS.
  • All blood samples tested negative for chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses.

Officials noted that test results for three additional samples are still pending.

Dr. Ameet Dravid, an infectious disease expert at Poona Hospital, emphasized the significance of these findings. “Campylobacter jejuni triggers GBS in about one out of every thousand cases. The spike in GBS cases suggests a widespread issue with bacterial infections, potentially affecting thousands of individuals in the city,” he explained.

Dr. Dravid also urged further research, including genome sequencing, to determine if the bacteria have mutated or developed resistance to conventional water chlorination methods and existing treatments.

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Dr. Babita Kamlapurkar, Joint Director of Health Services, Maharashtra, highlighted the importance of preventive measures. “The infection spreads through contaminated water or food. Citizens should not panic but instead take precautions such as boiling drinking water, avoiding unhygienic food, and maintaining proper hand hygiene,” she advised.

Campylobacter jejuni infections are a well-documented trigger for GBS. In 2011, a similar cluster of cases was reported in San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico, and Yuma County, Arizona, USA, following bacterial outbreaks.

GBS is a rare condition where the immune system attacks the nerves, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, tingling, and, in severe cases, paralysis. Early identification and treatment are crucial to managing the condition.

With Campylobacter jejuni now confirmed in multiple samples, health officials urge swift action to identify contamination sources and implement safety measures. The surge in GBS cases underscores the critical need for public awareness and vigilance to mitigate the risk.

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