Received 19 September
2002; accepted 13 December 2002; electronically published 9 April 2003.
Serumsamples were obtained from215
farm-resident children and396 nonfarm-resident
children livingin a defined ruralWisconsin
population. Antibodies toCampylobacter jejuni and
Escherichia coli O157:H7lipopolysaccharide (O157
LPS) immunoglobulinG were measured, andthe
incidence of clinicvisits for diarrheal illnesswas determined. Risk factorswere assessed in atelephone interview. There were363 children (59%)
withC. jejuni antibodies (seropositive for2 immunoglobulin classes) and86 (14%) with O157LPS antibodies. Increasing ageand farm residence wereindependently associated
with C. jejuniseropositivity by multivariate
analysis.O157 LPS antibodies were
independently associated with increasingage, female sex,
manurecontact, and sheep contact.The
incidence of clinicallyrecognized diarrhea was similaramong children with andwithout antibodies to C.
jejuniand O157 LPS, butthe clinic visit
ratefor diarrhea was 46%lower among
farm-resident children.These results are consistentwith reduced occurrence ofclinical illness from
repeatedantigenic stimulation in afarm
environment.
The study protocolwas approved by theMarshfield Clinic Institutional ReviewBoard. Written informed
consentwas obtained from theparents of all participatingchildren, and assent wasobtained from all children7 years old. Participatingparents received $20
compensationand a free hemoglobintest for their child.
Financialsupport: National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health(cooperative agreement
U07/CCU507126-06).
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
farm-resident
children living in a defined rural Wisconsin
population. Antibodies to Campylobacter jejuni and
Escherichia coli O157:H7 lipopolysaccharide (O157
LPS) immunoglobulin G were measured, and the
incidence of clinic visits for diarrheal illness
was determined. Risk factors were assessed in a
telephone interview. There were 363 children (59%)
with C. jejuni antibodies (seropositive for
2 immunoglobulin classes) and
86 (14%) with O157 LPS antibodies. Increasing age
and farm residence were independently associated
with C. jejuni seropositivity by multivariate
analysis. O157 LPS antibodies were
independently associated with increasing age, female sex,
manure contact, and sheep contact. The
incidence of clinically recognized diarrhea was similar
among children with and without antibodies to C.
jejuni and O157 LPS, but the clinic visit
rate for diarrhea was 46% lower among
farm-resident children. These results are consistent
with reduced occurrence of clinical illness from
repeated antigenic stimulation in a farm
environment.