Prevalence, determinants, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Campylobacter infection among under-five children with diarrhea at Governmental Hospitals in Hawassa city, Sidama, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Campylobacteriosis, is a zoonotic bacterial disease observed with a rising worldwide. It is becoming the most commonly recognized cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in under-five mortality in recent years. This study was done to determine the prevalence and determinants of Campylobacter infection among under-fives with acute watery diarrhea. Methods This institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted at governmental and private health institutions in Hawassa city. All outpatient under-five children who met the inclusion criteria from April 2021 to August 2021 were enrolled in this study. Demographic and clinical data were obtained using a standardized data collection tool. Stool samples were collected from each participant with a sterile container and inoculated on a campylobacter agar media. The isolates were identified by using biochemical tests and a disc diffusion technique was performed to determine the antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of the isolates. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive and Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the determinants of Campylobacter infection. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 235 under-five children were enrolled in this study with a 100% response rate. Of these 130 (55.3%) and 105(44.7%) were males and females respectively with the age range of 2 months to 60 months with the mean age of 25 months. The majority of the 150 (63.2%) were rural residents. Of 235 under-fives with acute watery diarrhea, 16 (6.8%) patients were found to have Campylobacter infection with (95% CI, 3.8–10.2%). Consumption of pasteurized milk (AOR: 0.12; 95% CI 0.02–0.75, P<0.05), presence of domestic animals like cats, hens, and cows (AOR: 0.09: 95% CI 0.01–0.67, P<0.05), absence of handwashing practice before food preparation (AOR: 3.63, 95% CI 1.15–11.46, P<0.05) showed significant association with campylobacter infection. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolated bacteria were 100% sensitivity to Azithromycin, Chloramphenicol, and Gentamicin, however; it was 100% resistant to Cephalothin. The associations of socio-demographic, environmental, and behavioral factors were compared and consumption of unpasteurized milk, the presence of domestic animal like the cat was significantly associated. Conclusion Campylobacter infection showed a comparatively low prevalence in under-fives with acute watery diarrhea. In this study contact with cats, consumption of unpasteurized milk were associated with Campylobacter infection. The treatment approach of Campylobacter infection must consider the sensitivity profile of antibiotics as indicated in the study. We, therefore, recommend further studies to determine the species responsible for Campylobacter infection with other co-morbidities and the susceptibility pattern for each species to indicate appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Prevalence, genomic characterization and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter spp. isolates in pets in Shenzhen, China

“…isolates from chickens and pigs were multidrug-resistant (MDR), and 99% were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent (Choi et al, 2021 ). Nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, ampicillin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin were typically the antimicrobials with the highest rate of resistance (Shakir et al, 2021 ; Asuming-Bediako et al, 2022 ; Behailu et al, 2022 ; Ščerbová et al, 2022 ).…”

A Case of Pseudoappendicitis Caused by Campylobacter Enteritis Diagnosed by Gram Staining and Direct Microscopic Investigation of Stool Specimen

“…Campylobacter is a motile, spore-free, curved, Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium. The name is derived from the Greek word for a curved rod, which refers to its vibrio-like morphology [ 1 ]. Their helical shape and long polar flagella allow them to move quickly and survive within the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract [ 1 ].…”

“…The name is derived from the Greek word for a curved rod, which refers to its vibrio-like morphology [ 1 ]. Their helical shape and long polar flagella allow them to move quickly and survive within the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract [ 1 ]. Campylobacter infection usually begins in the jejunum and ileum and progresses distally to affect the cecum and colon [ 2 ].…”

“…The main pathogens, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli , inhabit the intestinal tracts of various domestic animals. The route of infection is often unknown, but it can be caused by oral ingestion of raw or undercooked meat or food secondarily contaminated with raw meat [ 1 ]. After an incubation period of approximately three days, infections are established mainly in the colon and rectum [ 2 ].…”

The Transmission of Campylobacter Strains in Dairy Herds in Different Housing Systems

“…The specific virulence mechanisms of Campylobacter infection in humans has not yet been well defined, but several factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Campylobacter infections [ 13 ]. Many authors underline that the invasiveness of Campylobacter strains plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of this organism; therefore, it is often used as a measure of bacterial virulence [ 14 ].…”