The aim of the study was to investigate campylobacteriosis incidence in the County Primorsko-goranska (Croatia) between
2003 and 2007 and to find out possible connection with environmental factors (the average monthly temperature
and total monthly precipitation). The data (number of stool samples examined, age and sex distribution of patients,
monthly distribution of isolates and distribution of isolates according to the species) from the Laboratory for Diagnostics
of Enteric Infections of the Teaching Institute of Public Health of the County Primorsko-goranska (Croatia) were analyzed
retrospectively. During the observed period 30,164 stool samples were examined for Campylobacter spp. Campylobacters
were identified in 1,242 (4.12%) samples. The overall annual campylobacter incidence rate was 81.3±21.9/100,000
population. Campylobacter jejuni was found in 1,093 (88%) and C. coli in 149 (12%) patients. Our findings showed age
distribution of patients typical for developed countries. The patients were mostly children under 5 years (484.4±129.1/
100,000, p<0.001) and between 5 and 9 years of age (226.5±60.5/100,000, p<0.05). Male consistently experienced higher
rates, but the difference between genders was significant in the age groups from birth till late twentieth (p<0.001). Campylobacter
rates were significantly associated with monthly average temperatures (p<0.05), but not with precipitation.
Further investigations into the incidence of campylobacteriosis on the national level are necessary. The causes of the noticed
monthly distribution, sources of infection and connection with the routes of transmission in humans need to be elucidated
as well.