Resistance Pattern and Plasmid Profile of E. coli Isolated from Diarrhoeic Children in Selected Health Centres in Sokoto, Nigeria
Bello Rabiu Alkali
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Kabiru Mohammed
Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Saraja Ahmodu Opaluwa
Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Zainab Najim *
Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
John Ochei
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Public and Allied Health Science, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria
Saheed Ladipo Kakako
Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The resistance pattern and plasmid profile of E. coli was evaluated in this study.
Study Design: A cross-sectional study was carried out.
Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in Specialist Hospital; Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital; and Women and Children Welfare Clinic, Sokoto State, Nigeria from May to October, 2017.
Methodology: A total of 236 stool samples were collected from diarrhoeic children of age ≤5 years from selected Hospitals in Sokoto, Nigeria. Isolation and identification of E. coli strains were carried out using standard methods and procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using disc-diffusion method. Plasmid extraction was carried out using alkaline lysis method while curing of the plasmid harbouring strains was done using standard curing technique.
Results: The result showed that 96 (41%) of the bacteria were E. coli, all of which were resistant to ampicillin and augmentin. The resistance to antibiotics shows 19 different resistance patterns. Sixty-one point five (61.5%) were multidrug resistant (MDR). Majority 9/10 (90%) of the MDR isolates harboured plasmids, with size ranging from 6.0 to 20 kb. All the cured strains were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and ceftazidime indicating that resistance to these antibiotics was plasmid mediated.
Conclusion: E. coli isolates from diarrhoeic children in selected Health centres, demonstrated a significant antibiotic resistance and they harboured plasmids of diverse sizes.
Keywords: Plasmid profile, E. coli, diarrhoea, antibiotic resistance