Which organism is known for corkscrew motility and a curved rod shape, and what disease does it commonly cause?

• A. Campylobacter jejuni; causes inflammatory gastroenteritis and can trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome.
• B. Escherichia coli O157:H7; causes hemorrhagic colitis.
• C. Salmonella enterica; causes typhoid fever.
• D. Listeria monocytogenes; causes meningitis.

Answer: (A)

Corkscrew motility with a curved rod shape is characteristic of Campylobacter jejuni. The bacteria have polar flagella that give a distinctive corkscrew movement, and their curved, slender form helps them invade the intestinal lining. This organism is a leading cause of inflammatory gastroenteritis, producing diarrhea and abdominal cramps, often after consuming undercooked poultry or contaminated water. A notable complication is Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune neuropathy that can follow infection due to molecular mimicry between Campylobacter components and nerve tissues. In contrast, the other organisms listed are different in shape or motility and cause different diseases: a straight-rod, motile Escherichia coli O157:H7 causes hemorrhagic colitis; Salmonella enterica causes typhoid fever; Listeria monocytogenes causes meningitis.