Original article

Background: Compylobacter species are the major causes of diarrhoeal illness in children in Ethiopia. Thus, updated local information is very crucial in order to take effective control measures on this pathogen. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Campylobacter species in children younger than 15 years of age. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted whereby stool specimens were collected from 430 children who had diarrhoea and were investigated for presence of common enteric bacterial pathogens and intestinal parasites. Stool specimens were inoculated on Salmonella-Shigella agar and Campylo agar plates, and then isolation, biochemical characterization, and antibiotic sensitivity testing were done in accordance with the standard methodology. Parasites were detected by direct stool microscopy. Result: Campylobacter species were isolated from 11.6 % of the total patients. The isolation rates of Salmonella and Shigella species were 5.8 % and 4.9 % respectively. Sixty five percent (283/430) of the children were found to be infected by one or more parasites. Close contact with cats or dogs, duration and consistency of diarrhoea were associated with the isolation of Campylobacter species. The antimicrobial sensitivity study findings showed that all tested isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol, gentamicin and kanamycin. A majority of the strains of Campylobacter species were sensitive to tetracycline and erythromycin. The majority and half of the isolates were resistant for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this research indicate that Campylobacter species is an important etiological agent of childhood diarrhoea and therefore, it should be properly diagnosed in routine investigation and physicians should prescribe the appropriate drugs either after sensitivity testing or, in areas where there are no facilities for culturing, they have to refer updated information on local sensitivity pattern. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2004;18(3):185-189