Enteric Bacteria Pathogens Associated With Diarrhoea of Children in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria

A survey to determine the significance of bacterial species as possible pathogenic microorganism that cause diarrhoea was carried out in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria. The prevalence, age- specificity, seasonality and locality relative to their association with diarrhoea in children younger than five years of age were determined. Stool specimen from 404 children younger than five years of age were collected randomly from five hospitals in Abuja and assessed for microbiological profile of enteric pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed on all identified relevant isolates using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The prevalence of bacteria associated diarrhoea ranged from 18.8 to 22.4% among hospitals located in the Municipality, whereas hospitals located in the satellite settlements it ranged from 18.1to 20.9%. The prevalence of infectious diarrhoea was age specific being highest at the age of 7-12 months and lowest at the age of 37-48 months. There was variation in the month - wise distribution of bacteria associated diarrhoea being high in the months of August and November. We found that Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated bacteria in all age groups(62.8%) and significantly associated with diarrhoea at the age of 13-24 months (P <0.05). However, the isolation rate of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella species in this study depict these bacteria as veritable aetiological pathogen of infectious childhood diarrhoea. The disk diffusion testing for the antibiotic susceptibility illustrates a generally increased resistance to Amoxycillin, Amoxycilin-clavulanic acid and Cephalexin by all bacteria strain tested. The strains of Salmonella species showed substantial resistance to Amoxycillin, Amoxycilin-clavulanic acid, Cephalexin and Cefuroxime. Periodic laboratory - based survey for bacteria pathogens associated with diarrhoea of children should be emphasized to clarify their epidemiological significance and facilitate effective prevention and control. (New York Science Journal 2009;2(7):62-69). (ISSN: 1554-0200).