Molecular Characterization and Antimicrobial Resistance of Pathogenic Strains in Children from Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia.

Introduction: Pathogenic strains cause diarrheal infection in children due to their virulence factors. A nonanalytical observational study followed by a purposive sampling technique was conducted from October 2017 to June 2018, to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and molecularly detect pathogenic strains in under-five children at Wolaita Sodo town using molecular and the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.

Result: In the current investigation, out of 110 stool samples, was isolated in 68 (61.8%) (95% CI: 52.1-70.9%). Out of 68 isolates, 61.9% of isolates were resistant, 9.4% were intermediately resistant, and 28.7% were susceptible. Among the antimicrobial agents, 91.2% of isolates were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin followed by norfloxacin (86.8%). Virulence genes were detected in 55.9% (38/68) (95% CI 52.1%-70.9%) of isolates. The following genes were detected: (6 (8.8%)), (4 (5.9%)), (5 (7.4%)), (14 (20.5%)), and (4 (5.9%)). Out of 68 isolates, 43 (63.2%) isolates had shown multidrug resistance patterns. Furthermore, 11.8% of isolates had shown resistance to eight different drugs. The multidrug resistance index value of Diarrheagenic pathotypes was greater than or equal to 0.4, which indicates the high risk of resistance.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated important pathogenic strains and multidrug resistance in isolates containing virulence genes. Wise use of antimicrobials and improving the hygienic practices amongst parents of children reduce its occurrence. Therefore, appropriate usage of antimicrobial agents should also be highly practiced in hospitals.