The prevalence and plasmid profile of non-typhoidal salmonellosis in children in Lagos metropolis, South-western Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Non-typhoidal Salmonella is the causative agent of gastroenteritis, a food-borne and zoonotic infection which is a major cause of high morbidity and death among children under 5 years of age especially from resource poor settings like the developing countries.


METHODS
This study was carried out for 6 months to determine the prevalence and plasmid profile of non-typhoidal salmonellosis in children in Lagos metropolis. A total of 105 stool samples were collected from diarrheal children aged 3 months to 12 years and processed during this period. The isolates were identified using Selenite F Broth, Salmonella-Shigella Agar, Kligler Iron Agar, and Motility-indole-Urea medium, citrate and sugar utilization tests.


RESULTS
A total number of 127 isolates were identified, 2 of which are Salmonella enteritidis (1.6%). The non-typhoidal Salmonellae were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, cetotaxime, streptomycin, cotrimxazole and tetracycline. Only one of the 2 isolates (50%) was sensitive to amoxillin and sulphonamide while none of them (0%) was sensitive to cefuroxime.


CONCLUSIONS
The plasmid analysis of the isolates showed that they harboured no detectable plasmids; this suggests that the resistance was chromosomally mediated.
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
Ajoke Olutola
AO
Adagbada
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
Akitoye Olusegun
AO
Coker
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Division, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
Stella Ifeanyi
SI
Smith
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.
Solayide Abosede
SA
Adesida
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002947:Cities / Q000453:epidemiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010957:Plasmids / Q000032:analysis*; D015995:Prevalence; D012475:Salmonella / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial
Prevalence; children; plasmid; salmonellosis