Antibiotic susceptibility pattern among children admitted to a hospital in Nigeria: A retrospective study
Aderonke O Oluwo1, Mary A Lawal2, Cecilia A Mabogunje2
1Dental Division, Massey Street Children's Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
Insights
Antimicrobial resistance is alarmingly high in young Nigerian children, with common pathogens showing resistance to frequently used empirical antibiotics. Strict adherence to antibiotic protocols is crucial in hospital settings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Global Health
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, particularly impacting children in resource-limited settings.
- The burden of AMR in pediatric populations in these regions is often underreported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the trends in antibiotic susceptibility patterns among pediatric patients in Nigeria.
- To identify common bacterial pathogens and their resistance profiles to various antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of sensitivity test reports from 300 pediatric patients (18 hours to 192 months).
- Data collected from a Nigerian state-owned children's hospital between December 2021 and March 2022.
- Standard Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method used for five common bacterial genera: *Escherichia coli, Klebsiella* spp., *Pseudomonas* spp., *Staphylococcus aureus*, and *Streptococcus* spp.
Main Results:
- *Staphylococcus aureus* (32.1%) was the most frequent isolate, while *Pseudomonas* spp. (7.1%) was the least frequent.
- High resistance rates were observed for *S. aureus* (32.1%), *E. coli* (28.2%), and *Klebsiella* spp. (20.5%).
- Pediatric isolates exhibited significant resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, and cefepime.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic resistance is notably high in Nigerian children, especially the younger demographic.
- Pathogens demonstrate resistance to commonly prescribed empirical antibiotics in Nigeria.
- Implementation of strict antibiotic stewardship protocols is recommended, particularly for empirical therapy in hospitals.
Background:
The impact of antimicrobial resistance on children living in resource-limited countries has been underreported, despite its established global threat.
Objective:
This retrospective study aimed to describe the trend of antibiotic susceptibility in the paediatric age group.
Methods:
Sensitivity test report data consisting of 300 paediatric patients aged 18 hours to 192 months were retrieved from the microbiology laboratory records at a state-owned children's hospital in Nigeria over a period of 4 months starting from December 2021 to March 2022. Five genera (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp.) were cultured as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute, using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out on isolates using 15 different antibiotics.
Results:
Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent pathogen isolated 32.1% (50/156) and Pseudomonas spp. was the least frequent pathogen isolated 7.1% (11/156) in all samples. The isolates with the highest rate of resistance to the tested antibiotics were S. aureus 32.1% (50/156), E. coli 28.2% (44/156) and Klebsiella spp. 20.5% (32/156). Isolates in all age groups were more resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, cefuroxime and cefepime.
Conclusion:
Antibiotic resistance is high, especially the younger Nigerian children. Strict antibiotic protocols should be adhered to especially in the use of empirical antibiotic therapy in hospitals.
What This Study Adds:
Our study reveals a higher trend of antibiotic resistance, especially in younger children. It further shows that the pathogens are most resistant to the most available empirical antibiotics in Nigeria.
