Rate of isolation of streptococcus species from children with bacterial infections: an indication for introduction of streptococcal vaccines

Abstract

Abstract Background:

Streptococcus

pneumoniae

Objective:

M a t e r i a l s a n d M e t h o d s :
Streptococcus species are among
the commonest bacterial causes
of childhood morbidity in
developing countries.
Streptococcal diseases in children
have not been as well
characterized in Nigeria as it has
been in industrialized countries.
The rudimentary nature of public
health surveillance makes the true
epidemiology of the disease
difficult to ascertain. The
predominance of

in the causation of
invasive diseases has led to the
advocacy of inclusion of
pneumococcal vaccine in the
National Programme on
Immunization. However, local
data critical to inform on vaccine
deployment are scarce, thus the
need for the present study.
To study the rate of
isolation of Streptococcus species
from children aged zero to 15
years, with suspected bacterial
infections.
Laboratory records of results of
bacteriological studies of samples
from children with suspected
bacterial infections in University
of Abuja Teaching Hospital from
January 2008 through December,
2010 were retrieved and analyzed
for bacterial growth. Data analysis

Version 3.5.1. Statistical
significance was set at p < 0.05.
A total of 2,247 samples
were received during the study
period. Of the 1,242 bacteria
isolated, 502 (40.4%) were
, 232
(18.7%) were and
146 (11.8%) were Streptococcus
species: 78 were isolated from
blood, 9 from sputum, 11 from
throat swabs and 28 from other sites
while urine and eye swabs had 10
each. One hundred and six (72.6%)
of the streptococci were from
children aged 5 years and below.
Most of the Streptococci (88.1%)
were untyped. Among the 17
Streptococcal isolates typed, 10
were
a n d t h r e e w e r e g r o u p B
Streptococcus.

St r e pt o c o c c al
infections remain an important
cause of severe disease in children
in Nigeria. The use of effective, safe
and affordable vaccine could
significantly reduce morbidity from
these infections, thus suggesting the
need for more studies to conclude
o n s t r e p t o c o c c a l v a c c i n e
deployment.

: St r e pt o c o c c al
infections, Nigeria, Streptococcal
vaccines