Bacteria agents of diarrhoea in children under 5years of age in Ilorin.

Diarrhoea is one of the commonest childhood illnesses, and a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Bacteriological investigation of diarrhoea diseases was carried out among 128 children between the ages of 0-60 months using stool samples from three different hospitals with in Ilorin metropolis. Out of the 128 children, 39 had bacteria associated diarrhoea. The prevalence of bacteria associated diarrhoea in this study was 23.2%. The bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhi and Campylobacter jejuni. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated bacteria in all age groups. Age group 13-24months had the highest occurrence of bacteria isolates, followed by 25-36 months; with the least occurrence seen in 0-12 and 49-60 months. Bacterial pathogens were identified in 30.4% of the subjects while 69.5% yielded no bacteria growth. Antibiotics susceptibility test conducted revealed that the isolates were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin and most of the isolates were resistant to Ceftazidime, Augmentin, Cefuroxime and Ceftriaxone. The high prevalence of E. coli is an indication of poor sanitation and personal hygiene. Efforts should be made to educate the mothers and the guardians in promoting good environmental sanitation and personal hygiene.