Abstract
Overgrowth of candida results from factors that disrupt the intestinal microbial balance, such as the use of antibiotics. Unregulated antibiotic use and rampant practice of self-medication in Nigeria, is a cause for concern. A total of 314 stool specimens were collected from children <1 to 12 years of age in Nsukka, South Eastern Nigeria and screened for candida species using standard methods. Questionnaires were used to collect relevant information on the participants. Out of the 314 participants, 31.2% had candidiasis, indicated by growth of ≥105 CFU/ml. Four different species of candida were identified. Candida albicans had the highest prevalence (59.0%), while Candida krusei had the least prevalence (6.0%). Of the 314 participants, 46.5% had diarrhoea, out of which 58.9% had intestinal candidiasis while only 14.3% of the non-diarrhoeic children had candidiasis. Of 208 participants who had taken antibiotics within three weeks of the study, 42.3% had candidiasis compared to 20.8% of those with no recent history of antibiotic use. The results of this study showed a high prevalence of intestinal candidiasis among children in Nsukka. Strong associations were observed between the presence of intestinal candidiasis and diarrhoea, age and use of antibiotics (p<0.001).
Highlights
There is a growing appreciation of the abundance and diversity of the trillions of micro-organisms that live on and within the human body and how they influence human health and disease[1,2]
The specific objectives of the study were: to determine the prevalence of intestinal candidiasis in children between 0 – 12 years in Nsukka, South Eastern Nigeria; to identify the Candida species most frequently associated with the condition; and to determine the correlation between intestinal candidiasis and antibiotics use in the children
The four species occurred in the following order: Candida albicans (42%) > C. tropicalis (30%) > C. crusei (16%) > C. parapsilosis (12%)
Summary
There is a growing appreciation of the abundance and diversity of the trillions of micro-organisms that live on and within the human body and how they influence human health and disease[1,2]. @ 2017 Ezeonu et al; licensee African Health Sciences. African Health Sciences Vol 17 Issue 4, December, 2017 predominant colonizers of the GIT but other groups of organisms are present in low numbers[5]. Candida species (C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. krusei etc.), otherwise known as intestinal yeasts, constitute one group of organisms that inhabit the GIT7,8,9. Intestinal candidiasis and antibiotic usage in children: case study of Nsukka, South Eastern Nigeria.
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