AETIOLOGIC AGENTS OF DIARRHOEA IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE IN OSOGBO, OSUN STATE

Abstract

A survey of the aetiological agents of diarrhoea in children under 5 years of age was carried out in Osogbo, Osun State. A total of 135 patients visiting the outpatient and children emergency units of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital were examined. Strains of Shigella isolated were tested for antibiotic sensitivity. Consideration of the distribution showed that Escherichia coli was more prevalent in children aged between 3 to 5 years (57%) and was the most encountered of the organisms isolated (present in 77.8% of all samples) while Shigella spp was found in 16.3% of samples, Vibrio cholerae 0.7% and other coliforms 5.2%. Statistical analysis showed that E. coli was significantly associated with diarrhoea in the patients aged 3-5 years (P< 0.05). Shigella spp was shown to show some resistance to tetracycline and high sensitivity to ofloxacin.


(Af J Clinical & Exp Microbiology: 2003 4(2): 62-66)