Plasmid Profiling of Bacteria Associated with Gastroenteritis among Children in Owo, Ondo State

Antibiotic resistance among the children with gastroenteritis remains a major global problem around the world. This study was therefore carried out to determine the plasmid profile of bacterial isolates from children with gastroenteritis in Owo, Ondo State. A total of 115 stool samples were collected from the children with gastroenteritis. The stool samples were cultured on MacConkey Agar using standard laboratory technique. Plasmid analysis of the some selected multiple resistant isolates was carried out using alkaline Phosphate method. Post plasmid curing was also carried out using sodium deodecyclsulphate (SDS). Out of 115 stool samples analyzed, eighty seven (75.7%) bacteria were isolated. Four different bacteria belonging to 4 genera were isolated with Escherichiacoli having the highest occurrence rate of 70(80.5%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 10 (11.5%), Proteus mirabilismirabilis5(5.7%) and Salmonella typhi 2 (2.3%). Out of 70 Escherichiacoli serotyped, 17 (24.3%) were Escherichia coli 0157 and 53 (75.7%) were Non-Escherichia coli 0157. The antibiotic resistant of the bacteria isolates ranges from 5.8% to 100.0% with chloramphenicol and augmentin exhibiting highest resistant. The antibiotic tested exhibited 100% resistant to Salmonellatyphi. Out of the six bacteria isolates tested for the present of plasmid, four had a plasmid with 3 bacteria having molecular weight of 2120bp and one bacterium having molecular weight of 1910bp. Plasmid mediated resistant is more than chromosomal mediated resistant. However, antimicrobial resistant pattern of the bacteria isolates in this study is worrisome. Nevertheless, Amoxicillin and sparfloxacin with least resistant pattern could be used for the treatment of gastroenteritis.