Prevalence of enteric infections among hospitalized patients in two referral hospitals in Ghana

Abstract

BackgroundDiarrhea is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Africa and Ghana in particular, it is estimated to contribute directly to 19 and 25% of pediatric mortality among children under 5 years, respectively.MethodsSurveillance for hospitalized acute diarrheal illness was initiated in November 2010 through October 2012 in a referral hospital in southern Ghana, and a teaching hospital in northern Ghana. Consenting hospitalized patients who met a standardized case definition for acute diarrheal illness provided demographic and epidemiologic data. Stool samples were collected and tested by culture for bacteria and by enzyme immunoassays for a panel of viruses and parasites.ResultsA total of 429 patients were enrolled; 216 (50.3%) were under 5 years, and 221 (51.5%) were females. Stool samples were received from 153 patients. Culture isolates included Shigella sp., Salmonella spp., Plesiomonas sp. and Vibrio cholerae. Of 147 samples tested for viruses, 41 (27.9%) were positive for rotaviruses, 11 (7.5%) for astroviruses, 10 (6.8%) for noroviruses, and 8 (5.4%) for adenoviruses. Of 116 samples tested for parasitic infections; 4 (3.4%) were positive for Cryptosporidium sp. and 3 (2.6%) for Giardia lamblia. Of the enrolled patients, 78.8% had taken antibiotics prior to sample collection.ConclusionsDiarrheal pathogens were identified across all ages, however, predominantly (81%) in the children under 5 years of age. This study also detected high antibiotic use which has the potential of increasing antibiotic resistance. The most common enteric pathogen detected (49.4%) was rotavirus.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-017-2621-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Modeling of rotavirus transmission dynamics and impact of vaccination in Ghana

“…3C ). Similar trends have been observed in the same study location since at least the late 1990s [ 49 ], as well as elsewhere in northern Ghana [ 50 ]. These seasonal patterns have also been observed in other West African countries.…”

Modeling of rotavirus transmission dynamics and impact of vaccination in Ghana

“…3C). Similar trends have been observed in the same study location since at least the late 1990s [41], as well as elsewhere in northern Ghana [42]. These seasonal patterns have also been observed in other West African countries.…”

“…In Belgium, Zeller et al [54] found consistently more than more than 55% of cases in the 0-11-month age group over a seven-year period prior to vaccine introduction, decreasing to 32-43% after vaccine introduction. The almost equal proportion of infections between the 0-11m and 12-23m age groups after vaccine introduction in all the sites in Ghana is similar to observations in Burkina Faso [42]. In Malawi, there was a shift in the mean age of rotavirus caused diarrhea from 9.3 months in pre-vaccine to 11.8 months following vaccination [56].…”

Epidemiology of enteric viruses in children with gastroenteritis in Ogun State, Nigeria

“…Worldwide, the prevalence of enteric viruses (EVs) in children with acute gastroenteritis has been reported to range from 29.6% to 85.6% . Previous studies in Nigeria showed the different prevalence of EVs infection .…”

“…20 Worldwide, the prevalence of enteric viruses (EVs) in children with acute gastroenteritis has been reported to range from 29.6% to 85.6%. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Previous studies in Nigeria showed the different prevalence of EVs infection. [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] Differences between these studies were largely due to different epidemiological characteristics of the populations studied, distinct diagnostic methods used, availability of vaccine and vaccine coverage for rotavirus, among others.…”