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Microbial pathogens associated with acute childhood diarrhoea in Kumasi, Ghana
Gilbert Kotei Ashie1, Mohamed Mutocheluh2, Michael Owusu3
1Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Insights
Malaria, rotavirus, and bacterial infections are common causes of acute childhood diarrhea in Kumasi, Ghana. This study highlights these pathogens
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Diarrhoeal diseases are a leading cause of child morbidity and mortality globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Acute diarrhea in children remains a significant public health concern in Kumasi, Ghana.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and association of bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens with acute diarrhea in children under five in Kumasi, Ghana.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 240 children with acute diarrhea and 107 healthy controls.
- Pathogen identification using microscopy for parasites, immunochromatographic testing for viruses (rotavirus, adenovirus), and conventional culture for bacteria.
Main Results:
- Malaria parasitemia (6.6%), bacterial infections (40.1%), and ova/parasites (7.2%) were detected.
- Malaria infection showed the highest odds of diarrhea (OR 12.0), followed by rotavirus (OR 4.4) and bacterial infections (OR 4.99).
Conclusions:
- Malaria, rotavirus, and bacterial infections are significant and persistent pathogens associated with acute childhood diarrhea in Kumasi.
- This study provides updated evidence on the causative agents of childhood diarrhea in the region since 2004.
Background:
Diarrhoeal diseases are among the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This case-control study was conducted to investigate the bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens associated with acute diarrhoea among children attending three health facilities in Kumasi, Ghana.
Methods:
Stool specimens were collected from 240 children under 5 years of age visiting hospitals in Kumasi, Ghana due to acute diarrhoea and from 107 healthy controls of similar age. Both intestinal and malaria parasites were diagnosed by microscopy whereas rota- and adenoviruses were identified by stool antigen immunochromatograhic testing. Bacterial enteropathogens were detected by conventional culture techniques.
Results:
Of all subjects, 23 (6.6%) were positive for malaria parasitaemia, 139 (40.1%) had at least one bacterial agent in their stool and 25 (7.2%) had ova or parasites. Subjects infected with malaria had the highest odds of having diarrhoea [12.0 (95% CI 1.56, 92.35)] followed by those with rotaviruses [4.4 (95% CI 2.05, 9.47)] and bacterial infection [4.99 (95% CI 1.45, 17.17)].
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this study was unique as it looked at the three groups of pathogens (parasites, viruses and bacteria) that cause acute diarrhoea in children in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. This study has shown for the first time since 2004 that malaria parasitaemia, rotavirus and bacterial infections still remain common pathogens associated with acute childhood diarrhoea in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana.
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