Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Yersinia enterocolitica in Diarrhoeic Humans from University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja

Abstract

This present study aims at investigating the prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica in stool samples of diarrhoeic patients attending the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates. A total of 200 human stool samples were collected from diarrhoeic patients attending the University of Abuja teaching hospital Gwagwalada. 96 (48%) of the stool samples were from male patients while 104 (52%) were from female patients. The samples were analysed for the presence of Yersinia enterocolitica using the conventional Microbial bioassay. Our results showed an overall prevalence rate of 6%. The prevalence rate was higher in females (4%) than in males (2%). However, statistical analysis showed no association between the prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica and sex of host [P˂0.05; (χ2=3.41); (df= 1)]. All the isolates were tested for susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobial agents. The results of the antimicrobial studies showed that 33.3% (4) of the isolates were susceptible to Oflaxacin, Gentamycin, Nalidixic acid and Nitrofurantoin. 66.7% (8) isolates were resistant to Ofloxacin, Cotrimoxazole, Nalidilic acid, Tetracyclin and Nitrofurantoin. All islolates (100%) showed resistance to Augemetin and Amoxicillin. Our study clearly showed that Yersinia enterocolitica is resistant to commonly used antimicrobial agents. However, it is important for tests to be conducted to determine susceptibility before drug usage. Also, serotyping to determine the specific antigenic strains is necessary for effective control of field strains and vaccines possibility is warranted..