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Journal articles
Community-acquired infectious diarrhoea in children under 5 years of age in Dakar, Senegal
Abstract : BACKGROUND:
In sub-Saharan Africa, infectious diarrhoea is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. A cross-sectional study was undertaken to document the pathogens potentially involved in community-acquired childhood diarrhoea in Dakar, the capital of Senegal.
METHODS:
Between September 2007 and March 2008, 176 children aged 1 month to 5 years were recruited consecutively from a primary health care institution in an urban area. Clinical data were recorded and stool samples were collected. Bacterial pathogens were identified using conventional methods and/or PCR assays. Rotaviruses and adenoviruses were detected by a rapid immunochromatographic test. Intestinal parasites were diagnosed by microscopy.
RESULTS:
Rotavirus was the most common enteric pathogen, detected in 27% of patients, followed by Shigella (12%), diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (8%), enteric adenovirus (8%), Salmonella (4%), Campylobacter jejuni (3%) and Plesiomonas shigelloides (2%). Mixed bacterial/viral infections were detected in 6% of cases. Parasites, mostly protozoa, were detected in 14% of children. Using ipaH PCR, 30% of samples were positive for Shigella/entero-invasive E. coli. Detection of rotavirus was more frequently associated with younger age groups (<24 months), whereas bacterial diarrhoea was isolated more often in children over 1 year of age. Detection of bacterial pathogens was significantly associated with malnutrition. Antibiotics were prescribed for 77% of children who attended for consultation. No pathogen was found in 36% of them, whereas a virus was detected without any other associated bacterial or parasitic pathogen in 23% of patients.
CONCLUSION:
In developing countries, there is a need to develop reliable, easy-to-use, inexpensive rapid diagnostic tests to guide the management of diarrhoea in infants and children and thereby prevent over-use of antimicrobial agents.
Cited literature [25 references]
https://hal-pasteur.archives-ouvertes.fr/pasteur-02025043
Contributor : Fanny Sebire Connect in order to contact the contributor
Submitted on : Monday, March 11, 2019 - 3:59:24 PM
Last modification on : Tuesday, January 4, 2022 - 11:56:02 AM
Long-term archiving on: : Wednesday, June 12, 2019 - 6:42:13 PM
Contributor : Fanny Sebire Connect in order to contact the contributor
Submitted on : Monday, March 11, 2019 - 3:59:24 PM
Last modification on : Tuesday, January 4, 2022 - 11:56:02 AM
Long-term archiving on: : Wednesday, June 12, 2019 - 6:42:13 PM
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