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Updated: May 30, 2026
Examination of Host Phenotypes in Gambusia affinis Following Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: February 22, 2017
Bacterial Isolates and Antibiotic Sensitivity among Gambian Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition
Uduak A Okomo1, Danlami Garba, Augustin E Fombah
1Medical Research Council (UK) Laboratories, Atlantic Road, Fajara, P.O. Box 273, Banjul, Gambia.
Insights
In The Gambia, ampicillin and gentamicin effectively treated bacterial infections in severely malnourished children. This study identified common pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivities to guide treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Establishing local infection patterns and antimicrobial sensitivities is crucial for antibiotic stewardship in severe acute malnutrition.
- Understanding common pathogens and their resistance profiles informs effective clinical management algorithms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the common bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns in children with severe acute malnutrition in The Gambia.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for antibiotic therapy in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 140 children with severe acute malnutrition.
- Collection and culture of blood, stool, and urine samples.
- Determination of bacterial pathogens and antibiotic sensitivity patterns using disk diffusion.
Main Results:
- Bacteraemia was identified in 38 children; 60% were contaminants (predominantly coagulase-negative staphylococcus).
- Major causes of bacteraemia included nontyphoidal Salmonella (13%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (10%), and Escherichia coli (8%).
- Escherichia coli was the most common urinary isolate (58%). Most isolates were sensitive to ampicillin/gentamicin and penicillin/gentamicin.
Conclusions:
- A combination of ampicillin and gentamicin demonstrated adequate in vitro activity against common bacterial pathogens found in severely malnourished children in The Gambia.
- These findings support the use of ampicillin and gentamicin as first-line antibiotic treatment for severe acute malnutrition-associated infections in this region.
Abstract:
Background. Establishing the pattern of infection and antimicrobial sensitivities in the local environment is critical to rational use of antibiotics and the development of management algorithms. Methods. Morbidity history and physical examination of 140 children with severe acute malnutrition were recorded. Their blood, stool, and urine samples were cultured and antibiotic sensitivity patterns determined for any bacterial pathogens isolated. Results. Thirty-eight children had a pathogen isolated from blood culture, 60% of which were considered contaminants. Coagulase negative staphylococcus was the predominant contaminant, while the major causes of bacteraemia were nontyphoidal Salmonella (13%), S. pneumoniae (10%), and E. coli (8%). E. coli accounted for 58% of the urinary isolates. No pathogen was isolated from stool. In vitro sensitivity by disk diffusion showed that 87.5% of the isolates were sensitive to ampicillin and/or gentamicin and 84.4% (27/32) to penicillin and/or gentamicin. Conclusions. A combination of ampicillin and gentamicin provides adequate antibiotic cover for severely malnourished children in The Gambia.
