Childhood urinary tract infection in Benin City: pathogens and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern

Abstract

Anti-microbial sensitivity pattern of bacterial isolates implicated in urinary tract infection (UTI) amongst children was studied using the disc diffusion method. The prospective study was carried out in 65 children managed for urinary tract infection in the paediatric facilities of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, between October 1, 1997, and September 30, 2002. The subjects were made up of 26 (40.0%) males and 39 (60.0%) females. UTI was commoner in females and young children. Amongst older children it was found mainly in those with primary renal morbidities. Escherichia coli (49.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (24.6%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (20.0%) were the commonest isolates. In vitro sensitivity of the common isolates to gentamycin, clavulanic acid potentiated amoxycillin, ofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin was moderate to high; and against ceftazidime and azithromycin, it was low to moderate. It was, however, low to cotrimoxazole and ampicillin. The rampant recommendation and use of cotrimoxazole as first choice drug in UTI in children does not seem to enjoy scientific backing, at least for now. There is also an emerging resistance of common pathogens to azithromycin and ceftazidime. Though rare, other urinary pathogens with acknowledged virulence are being encountered. It is recommended that clavulanic acid potentiated amoxicillin, gentamycin or ceftriaxone be used for the treatment of UTI in the study locale, particularly when cultural evidences of causative organisms are not immediately available.



Key Words: Urinary pathogens, antibiotic susceptibility, children

(Jnl Med. & Biomed Res.: 1(2) 2002: 22-28)