Journal of Advances in Microbiology

Aim: To ascertain the antimicrobial Sensitivity profile of bacterial isolated from stool samples.

Study Design: A retrospective analytical cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Federal Medical Center, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, between January 2019 and December 2022.

Methodology: Stool microscopy, culture and sensitivity results were collected from the archives of the Medical Laboratory Services over a period of 48 months. The stool samples collected were processed for bacteriological analysis where they were inoculated into MacConkey (MAC) O2, Selenite F broth, Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar (XLD), Hektoen, or Decoxycholate Agar (DCA), Sorbitol MacConkey (SMA) or Campylobacter Agar Microaerophilic by using sterile wire loop. The inoculum was incubated under aerobic condition at 37⁰c for temperature between 24hours and 72hours. The Data that was collected was sorted into categories based on common features or attributes to enable analysis with SPSS® and the results presented with the aid of appropriate figures and diagrams or tables.

Results: A total of 15 records of microorganisms were reportedly isolated from 411 stool samples during the review period (1st of January 2019 to 31st December 2022). Escherichia coli (E. coli) was the most isolated organism, accounting for 51.3% of the isolates. Children (0–5 years) and older children (6-19years) had high E. coli prevalence (71.6%) and (74.5%) respectively which may reflect to early exposure through contaminated food or water and underdeveloped immune systems.  Gender distribution for these microbes shows a general trend where females tend to have higher percentages, except for S. paratyphi C (9.4%), P. vulgaris (2.2%), S. aureus (1.1%), and Pseudomonas spp (0.6%) where males are higher. Resistance to Fluoroquinolones, Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin in E. coli is substantial (~47.2–55.2%). Similarly, S. typhi shows moderate resistance (20.1% to Ciprofloxacin). Resistance to Gentamicin is highest for E. coli (48.5%) and S. typhi (24%), though it retains some susceptibility in other pathogens. Particularly troubling resistance in P. vulgaris and Shigella, with P. vulgaris showing 100% resistance to several antibiotics, including cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones.

Conclusion: This study reveals Escherichia coli and Salmonella species being the most frequently identified, E. coli is associated with gastroenteritis and is responsible for infectious diarrhea among children. The prevalence of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi observed in this study is consistent with other studies in West Africa, where Salmonella species are a major public health concern. Public health implications include improving sanitation, promoting vaccinations, antibiotic stewardship, and developing alternative therapies.