Genotyping virulence and resistance profiles in salmonella isolated from diarrheic children in Nairobi city, Kenya.

AIM

To characterize virulent and antibiotic resistance genes in children with diarrhea in Nairobi city, Kenya.

BACKGROUND

species carry virulent genes whose expression correlate with severity of salmonellosis. Effective treatment of salmonellosis by antibiotics is threatened by expression of antibiotic resistant genes.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, a total of 374 children below five years of age presenting with diarrhea at Mbagathi County Hospital were recruited. Stool microbiology test was used to detect species. Polymerase chain reaction was employed to detect virulent and antibiotic resistant genes.

RESULTS

species was isolated in 9 (2.4%) children. A total of 9 (100.0%), 7 (77.8%), 9 (100.0%) and 6 (66.6%) of the isolates harbored , , , and virulent genes, respectively. None (0.0%) of the isolates was resistant to gentamycin but 7 (77.8%), 7 (77.8%), 9 (100.0%), 8 (88.9%), 7 (77.8%), 6 (66.7%) and 5 (55.6%) of species were resistant to ampicillin, ceftriaxone, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and tetracycline, respectively. Ampicillin (), ceftriaxone ( ), streptomycin (), gentamycin (), ciprofloxacin (), chloramphenicol (), erythromycin (), and tetracycline () resistant gene was detected in 6 (85.7%), 6 (85.7%), 9 (100.0%), 8 (100.0%), 6 (85.7%), 6 (100.0%), and 5 (100.0%) of isolates which were phenotypic resistant to ampicillin, ceftriaxone, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin and tetracycline, respectively.

CONCLUSION

species expressing virulent and antibiotic resistant genes is an important cause of gastroenteritis in children in Kenya.