Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Bacteria Associated with Diarrhoea in Children from Selected Hospitals in Makurdi, Benue State

Abstract

Antibiotics resistance profile of bacteria associated with diarrhoea in children (0-5) years attending selected hospitals in Makurdi was carried out. Exactly 377 diarrhoeic stool samples were collected from children attending selected health facilities namely; Federal Medical Centre, General Hospital North Bank and Bishop Murray Memorial Hospital High level Makurdi. Standard methods involving microbiological and biochemical analysis were employed in characterizing bacteria associated with diarrhoea amongst children. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of all the isolates was carried out using disc diffusion technique. Results showed that 51 (13.7%) was positive for Escherichia coli, Shigella and Salmonella species. Escherichia coli had 40 (78.4%) while 8 (15.7%) was recorded for Shigella and 3 (5.9%) for Salmonella respectively. Infection rate was highest 23 (29.5%) among children between the ages of 13 – 24 months. The three different bacterial isolates were resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, sulphonamide and trimethoprim. However they were susceptible to Drovid, Ciprofloxacin, Septrin Gentamycin, Chloramphenicol,   Azithro, and Streptsin . Parents and care givers should adhere strictly to antibiotics prescribed by pediatricians, this will help reduce incidence of antibiotic drug resistance in children.