Childhood Urinary Tract Pathogens and Antibiotic Susceptibility Seen at Gusau, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an important cause of morbidity and long term complications in children. To decrease morbidities associated with UTI, prompt diagnosis and early initiation of appropriate antibiotics is recommended. We aimed to identify the prevalent bacterial pathogens causing UTI in children seen at Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital (YBSH), Gusau as well as the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance patterns.
Methodology: A descriptive- retrospective- study of bacterial pathogens isolated from the urine of children aged 0-15 years with urinary tract infections over an 18 month period. Laboratory register of urine culture results was reviewed and relevant information which included age, sex, bacterial isolate, antibiotic susceptibility and resistance were retrieved.
Results: A total of 103 bacteria were isolated over the study period, there were no mixed infections. Of these, 53 (51.5%) isolates were found in males. Children under five years constituted 48.5%. Commonest isolates were Escherichia coli (40.8%), Citrobacter freundii (10.7%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (9.7%). The isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, ofloxacin and nitrofurantoin. The isolates were found to be highly resistant to ceftazidime,
cefuroxime and ceftriaxone but least resistant to nitrofurantoin.
Conclusion: Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii and Streptococcus pyogenes were the commonest isolates. Genticin, ofloxacin, nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin were the antibiotics the isolates had greater susceptibility. These antibiotics may be used empirically, but we recommend that all suspected cases of UTI should have a urine culture and sensitivity pattern determined for appropriate treatment.