PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES INFECTION AMONG CHILDREN AGED 0-5 YEARS IN SOME HOSPITALS IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES INFECTION AMONG CHILDREN AGED 0-5 YEARS IN SOME HOSPITALS IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
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Date
2016-12
Authors
OLAFEMI, GRACE BUNMI
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Abstract
Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal infections have a worldwide distribution among children and it poses an important health problem globally. The study therefore, was aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of Streptococcus pyogenes infection among children aged 0-5 years in the study area. A total of three hundred samples were collected from children aged 0-5 years who attended three different hospitals namely: Gambo Sawaba, Sickbay and Health Care Center for Children and Women. One hundred and fifty throat swab samples and one hundred and fifty blood samples were collected for Streptococcus pyogenes isolation, characterization using cultural method and classified using the Lancefield identification kit as well as the use of immunological assay such as Anti-streptolysin O (ASO) for further diagnosis and confirmation. The findings showed that the prevalence of group A Streptococcus pyogenes was 6.7% using the Lancefield identification kit. Other groups isolated were groups C, D and F with prevalence of 1.3%, 9.3% and 2.7% respectively. The highest prevalence of Streptococcus pyogenes infection was observed in the age group 0-1 years (11.5%) while the lowest was in the age group 2-3 years (1.9%).There was no significant difference in the prevalence of the infection and age groups (chi square =3.7439, p= 0.1538).The prevalence of Streptococcus pyogenes infection was higher in males (8.9%) than females (4.2%).There was no significant difference in the level of infection in both sexes (chi square = 1.2198, p= 0.2694). Erythromycin was found to be the most effective antibiotics against Streptococcus pyogenes from this study. A prevalence of 14.7% was recorded for ASO in sera samples. The level of ASO in patients that tested positive for the presence of ASO ranged from 200IU/ml to 16,000IU/ml. GS21 and GS7 showed the highest concentration of 16,000IU/ml respectively with a mean of 1772IU/ml. Two individuals were recorded to be both positive for Streptococcus pyogenes from throat swab samples as well as positive for Anti-streptolysin O antibody (ASO) from sera samples. The findings showed that children and parents who practiced good hygiene, cultured less Streptococcus pyogenes as well as those who had good ventilation in school, at home and those who were previously exposed to the infection and completed antibiotics treatment. The findings showed the effectiveness and sensitivity of the use of immunological assay (ASO) for diagnosis of Streptococcus pyogenes infection alongside the use of cultural method.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA. IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN MICROBIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY, FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA, NIGERIA.
Keywords
PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS,, STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES INFECTION,, CHILDREN AGED 0-5 YEARS,, HOSPITALS,, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA