Related Experiment Videos
Prevalence of Campylobacter enteritis in children from Yaounde (Cameroon)
S Koulla-Shiro1, C Loe, T Ekoe
1Department of Parasitology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMSB) University of Yaounde (UYI) Cameroon.
Insights
Campylobacter enteritis is common in Yaounde children, with a higher prevalence in those with diarrhea. Exposure to chickens and contaminated stream water are potential risk factors for this infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood diarrhea is a significant health concern globally.
- Campylobacter jejuni/coli is a known cause of bacterial gastroenteritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni/coli in children with diarrhea in Yaounde.
- To investigate the etiological role of Campylobacter jejuni/coli in childhood diarrhea.
- To identify potential sources of Campylobacter jejuni/coli infection in children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 272 children with diarrhea and 157 age-matched controls.
- Stool cultures for Campylobacter jejuni/coli, Shigella, and Salmonella species.
- Latex agglutination test for rotavirus detection.
Main Results:
- Campylobacter jejuni/coli was isolated from 7.7% of children with diarrhea and 3.2% of controls.
- Shigella and Salmonella were found in 2.2% and 1.1% of patients, respectively.
- Rotavirus antigen was detected in 19.6% of patients; 28% of children with Campylobacter enteritis were exposed to chickens, and 23.8% drank contaminated stream water.
Conclusions:
- Campylobacter enteritis is prevalent in Yaounde children.
- A high carriage rate of Campylobacter jejuni/coli may exist in asymptomatic young children.
- Exposure to chickens and contaminated water are potential risk factors for Campylobacter infection.
Abstract:
A cross sectional study on the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni/coli and its possible aetiologic role in childhood diarrhoea in Yaounde was undertaken in 272 children presenting with diarrhoea and 157 age matched controls from April 1989 to October 1990. Stool cultures were performed according to standard techniques for Campylobacter jejuni/coli shigella and salmonella species. Rotavirus was detected using a latex agglutination test. Campylobacter jejuni/coli was isolated from 21 (7,7 pc) of 272 patients with diarrhoea and five of 157 (3,2 pc) controls (p > 0.05), all aged zero to four years old. Shigella and salmonella species were cultured from 2,2 pc and 1,1 pc of 272 patients respectively while rotavirus antigen was detected in 19,6 pc of 204 patients. Twenty eight pc of children with Campylobacter enteritis were exposed to chickens while 23,8 regularly drank water from streams which probably were contaminated. Our results indicate a high prevalence of campylobacter enteritis in children living in Yaounde and also suggest that a high rate of carriage of Campylobacter jejuni/coli could exist in children zero to four years without diarrhoeal illness. to four years without diarrhoeal illness.