Clinical and Antibiotic Resistance features of Salmonella and Shigella infections among under five children with Diarrhea in three healthcare institutions of center Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study
1
Department Of Microbiology, The University Of Yaounde 1, Yaounde, Cameroon
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Diarrhoeal diseases remain one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under five worldwide [1]. Globally 21% of all deaths in children under five years of age are estimated to be due to diarrhoeal infections, with Shigella and Salmonella being major causative agents of gastroenteritis, often associated with high levels of antibiotic resistance [2]. This study aimed to isolate these pathogens and assess their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in children under five with diarrhoea attending selected health facilities in Yaoundé.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2023 to December 2024 in the pediatric departments of three hospitals: the Yaoundé General Hospital (HGOPY), the Military Hospital of Region 1 (HMR1), and the District Hospital of the Green City (HDCV). A total of 212 children were enrolled using a consecutive sampling technique. Sociodemographic, environmental, and risk factor data were collected using structured questionnaires. Stool samples were cultured on selective media, and bacterial identification was done using biochemical tests [3]. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the disc diffusion method [4].
RESULTS:
Among the 215 children included, Salmonella was isolated in 17.71% and Shigella in 1.56% of cases. Both pathogens showed 100% resistance to Amoxicillin, Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid, and Tetracycline. Additionally, Salmonella exhibited high resistance to Ciprofloxacin (70.59%), Nalidixic Acid (82.35%), and Ofloxacin (67.65%). All isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, with more than half showing multidrug resistance to three or more antibiotics. Consumption of raw meat was identified as a significant risk factor for Salmonella infection (P ≤ 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
The isolation of highly multidrug-resistant Shigella and Salmonella strains in this study raises concern about the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance in pediatric populations and highlights the need for continuous monitoring and rational antibiotic use.
Diarrhoeal diseases remain one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under five worldwide [1]. Globally 21% of all deaths in children under five years of age are estimated to be due to diarrhoeal infections, with Shigella and Salmonella being major causative agents of gastroenteritis, often associated with high levels of antibiotic resistance [2]. This study aimed to isolate these pathogens and assess their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in children under five with diarrhoea attending selected health facilities in Yaoundé.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2023 to December 2024 in the pediatric departments of three hospitals: the Yaoundé General Hospital (HGOPY), the Military Hospital of Region 1 (HMR1), and the District Hospital of the Green City (HDCV). A total of 212 children were enrolled using a consecutive sampling technique. Sociodemographic, environmental, and risk factor data were collected using structured questionnaires. Stool samples were cultured on selective media, and bacterial identification was done using biochemical tests [3]. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the disc diffusion method [4].
RESULTS:
Among the 215 children included, Salmonella was isolated in 17.71% and Shigella in 1.56% of cases. Both pathogens showed 100% resistance to Amoxicillin, Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid, and Tetracycline. Additionally, Salmonella exhibited high resistance to Ciprofloxacin (70.59%), Nalidixic Acid (82.35%), and Ofloxacin (67.65%). All isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, with more than half showing multidrug resistance to three or more antibiotics. Consumption of raw meat was identified as a significant risk factor for Salmonella infection (P ≤ 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
The isolation of highly multidrug-resistant Shigella and Salmonella strains in this study raises concern about the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance in pediatric populations and highlights the need for continuous monitoring and rational antibiotic use.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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