Urinary tract infection in children with rotavirus diarrhoea attending a tertiary facility in Nigeria

Abstract

Background : Acute diarrhoea caused by rotavirus infection is common in infants and children. Urinary tract infection(UTI) is the second most common bacterial infection. This study investigated the incidence of UTI and rotavirus infection in children aged less than five years presenting with acute diarrhoea to the Children Emergency Room (CHER) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
Method: This was a cross sectional study. A total of 115 children were sequentially recruited. Urine and stool samples were aseptically obtained from each child. Urine sample was examined macroscopically for appearance and microscopically for pus cells and bacteria. Urine samples were cultured on cysteine factors electrolyte deficiency agar. The resulting bacterial growth was counted and recorded as significant or non-significant for bacteriuria using the standard loop method. Rotavirus assay was performed using Prospect Rotavirus microplate Assay method.
Result: Rotavirus was detected in 51(44.3%) stool samples and three (2.60/o) samples yielded bacteria. A
total of 25 (21.7%) of the 115 urine samples were significant for bacteriuria. Twenty-five (25) were coinfected with rotavirus diarrhoea, of which 20 were in children less than 12 months of age. Echerichia cofi
was isolated in both urine (92%) and stool (66%) samples. Age and gender were not significantly associated with co-infection of acute diarrhoea and UTI. Children who were exclusively breast fed and those fed with family diet hada significantly lower coinfection of rotavirus and UTI compared to children who were bottle (formula) fed ( p < 0.05).
Conclusion: This study revealed a high incidence of co-infection of rotavirus and UTI in the study population. Therefore, in children with acute diarrhoea, investigation for UTI may be needful.