A STUDY ON SIGNIFICANT BACTERIURIA AMONG CHILDREN ATTENDING THE OUT-PATIENT CLINIC OF A UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NIGERIA

AKUJOBI C.N.1, EZEANYA C.C.1*, EMEKA-OKAFOR K.M.1 AND EBENEBE J.C.2 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria. 2Department of Peadiatric, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author: Email- chi_chi34@yahoo.com

Abstract- Significant bacteriuria refers to the laboratory findings of >10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria per mL of urine which is diagnostic of urinary tract infection. This study was done to determine significant bacteriuria among paediatric patients attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria. Midstream urine was collected from 300 paediatric patients between the ages of 1 to 16 yrs. at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi. Culture plates with bacteria counts greater than or equal to 1 x 10⁵cfu ml-1 were taken as positive which indicates urinary tract infection (UTI). The bacteria isolates were identified based on colony morphological characteristics as well as biochemical tests using API staph and Rapid ID 32E for Gram positive and Gram negative isolates respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out according to clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI). The result of this study showed 8% prevalence of significant bacteriuria among children. Twenty-four children had significant bacteriuria; 16(66.7%) were from female participants while eight (33.3%) were from male participants. Staphylococcus aureus 7(29.17%) was the most predominant organism, followed by Escherichia coli 6 (25%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 5(20.83%), Staphylococcus xylosus 3(12.5%), Pseudomonas 1(4.17%), Klebsiella oxytoca 1(4.17%) and Staphylococcus chromogenes 1(4.17%). Urine microscopy showed that 24 specimens had significant bacteriuria. All the isolates were susceptible to imipenem. Significant bacteriuria in children has shown an increasingly prevalence. With avert of antimicrobial resistance, there are bound to be serious public health problems if proper control measures are not implemented.

Keywords- Significant Bacteriuria, Paediatric and Antimicrobial resistance