Local pattern of acute enteric bacterial infections in man--Lagos, Nigeria

Stool specimen from 994 patients with Acute Diarrhoeal Diseases were processed for bacterial agents known to be responsible for acute diarrhoea. These were from patients seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital over a 9 month period. The pattern that emerged showed Shigella isolates made up by 36 flexneri; 29 boydii, 21 dysenteriae and 4 sonnei; Salmonella isolates were typhi 3, typhimurium 12, enteritidis 3, Oranienburg 9, others 8; Yersinia enterocolitica 14; Campylobacter species 20; Enterotoxinogenic E. coli 12, Vibrio cholerae 5; Enteropathogenic E. coli 35; Enterotoxinogenic E. coli 12; Enteroinvasive E. coli 5. Shigella was by far the most common with 43.6% of the isolates EPEC with 17% Salmonella 12% Campylobacter species 9.7%. Yersinia enterocolitica 6.7% ETEC 6%, Vibrio cholera 2.5% and EIEC 2.5%. The isolates are discussed in relation to age groups and seasons of the year. Oral glucose-electrolyte therapy was evaluated in 48 infants with acute diarrhoea. Pcv, electrolyte, Blood Urea, gain in body weight and fluid intake were monitored. Acceptability and effectiveness of the ORT in our Community were confirmed. There was no excess gain in body weights or puffiness of face and eyelids in the study subjects.