Campylobacter jejuni is the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis worldwide due to its high prevalence in contaminated food, particularly undercooked poultry. It causes inflammatory diarrhea with symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, and bloody stools. Unlike Staphylococcus aureus, which causes toxin-mediated food poisoning, Campylobacter leads to actual mucosal invasion. Its ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract and produce enterotoxins is key to its pathogenicity. Effective diagnosis relies on stool culture or PCR, and treatment is mainly supportive, with antibiotics reserved for severe cases. This highlights its clinical significance in infectious diarrhea management globally.

Reference: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Gerald L. Mandell et al., 9th Edition.