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Antibiogram of E. coli serotypes isolated from children aged under five with acute diarrhea in Bahir Dar town
Ayrikim Adugna1, Mulugeta Kibret1, Bayeh Abera2
1Department of Biology, Science College, Bahir Dar University.
Insights
Diarrheal disease in children is often caused by E. coli, with specific serotypes like Poly 2 being most common. High resistance to common antibiotics like ampicillin and tetracycline necessitates careful treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Diarrheal diseases are a significant cause of child morbidity and mortality globally.
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common bacterial agent responsible for diarrhea, with regional variations in prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the serotypes of E. coli causing diarrhea in children under five years of age.
- To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of E. coli isolates in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 422 children with diarrhea was conducted.
- Standard microbiological procedures were used for E. coli identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Main Results:
- E. coli was isolated from 48.3% of the children studied.
- Poly 2 sero-groups (enteropathogenic E. coli) were the most prevalent serotype (39.2%).
- High resistance rates were observed for ampicillin (86.8%), tetracycline (76%), and cotrimoxazole (76%), while resistance to ciprofloxacin (6.9%) and norfloxacin (9.3%) was low.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of diarrheagenic E. coli and significant antimicrobial resistance pose a serious public health challenge.
- Regular monitoring of antibiotic resistance patterns (antibiogram) and public health education are crucial for managing E. coli-related diarrhea in children.
Background:
Diarrheal disease and its complications remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The prevalence and antibiogram of E. coli as causative agents of diarrhea vary from region to region, and even within countries in the same geographical area.
Objectives:
To determine the serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli in children under-five years of age.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 children with diarrhea from December 2011 to February 2012. Identification of E. coli and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were done following standard procedures.
Results:
The overall isolation rate of E. coli was 48.3%. Poly 2 sero-groups, poly 3 sero-groups, poly 4 sero-groups and E. coli O157:H7 accounted for 80 (39.2%), 40 (19.6%), 25 (12.3%), and 59 (28.9%) of the isolates, respectively. Poly 2 sero-groups, constituting isolates belonging to enteropathogenic E. coli were the most commonly isolated serotypes. E. coli exhibited high levels of antimicrobial resistance to ampicillin (86.8%), tetracycline (76%) and cotrimoxazole (76%). Low levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin (6.9%) and norfloxacin (9.3%) were documented.
Conclusion:
High prevalence of diarrheagenic E. coli compounded by alarming antimicrobial resistances is a serious public health problem. Regular determination of antibiogram and public education are recommended.
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