Bacterial Aetiologic Agents Associated With Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children (Under Five Years) Attending Selected Clinics in Jos, Nigeria.

Abstract

Objectives: To identity the bacterial agents associated with upper respiratory tract infections in children less than five years old in Jos, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Throat swabs were collected from a total of200 children reporting at four (4) hospitals/cl in ics: Paed iatric U nits of OLA and Evangel hospitals and Primary Health Care clinics in Nassarawa and Jos Township with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (Pharyngitis, sinusitis, epiglotitis, laryngotracheitis .etcj.They were examined for bacterial pathogens using standard microscopy and culture. Results: One hundred and forty ninc (74.5%) subjects harboured bacterial pathogens. The age group 0-5 months accounted for the highest number of isolates, 33( 16.5%) while the age group 54-59 months and 45-53 months accounted for the least number 3(1.5%) each. Five bacterial species were identified; Streptococcus pneumoniae 75, (37.3 I%) had the highest frequency of occurrence while Corynebacterium species with 7 (3.48%) had the least occurrence. Others are Moraxella catarrhalis 67 (33.33%), Staphylococcus m/reus 31 (14.42%) and Streptococcus pyogen es 21 (10.45%). Conclusion: The study showed that bacteria were associated with most upper respiratory tract infections. Routine bacterial culture should be considered when children present with upper respiratory tract infections and the accompanying symptoms. Many kinds of microorganisms infect the respiratory tract and are transm itted through nasal and throat secretions of infected people which are expelled as aerosols when they cough or sneeze '. The organisms range from bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms that are pathogenic and are present in dust and air'. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are common infections with a respiratory rate of less than 50 usually accompanied with nasal drainage. They include conditions such as pharyngitis, sinusitis, epiglottitis, laryngotracheitis, and the common cold. Although viruses play a significant role in the pathogenesis of many of these infections, bacteria and other organisms are also responsible'. Infections of the upper respiratory systems arc by far the most common cause of illness in infancy and chi Idhood, accounting for approximately 50% of all illness in children younger than 5 years of age (,and approximately 1/3 of all visits to doctors in Primary Health Care Centres 7. , ". As URTI represent one of the main reasons for antibiotic therapy 7. Ill. 11 it would be important to identify the common bacterial pathogens that are prevalent in th is local ity; th is will guide in diagnosis and treatment whcn the common symptoms are presented. This would also control the indiscriminate use of antibiotics