The microbiological and clinical characteristics of 1,204 human cases of Aliarcobacter spp. infections that occurred in France between 2002 and 2024

Aliarcobacter spp. bacteria are human enteropathogens, as are Campylobacter spp. However, the epidemiology of the former infections is not well described. Here, we present microbiological and clinical data on 1,204 Aliarcobacter spp. infections that occurred in France between 2002 and 2024. Aliarcobacter butzleri was the principal species identified, followed by A. cryaerophilus. Aliarcobacter spp. infections affected patients principally over 60 years of age, mostly men, particularly during autumn. Analysis of 253 clinical information sheets highlighted both diarrhea and abdominal pain that were only rarely associated with fever or blood in the stool. Many isolates of both main species were resistant to group A penicillins and ciprofloxacin.