Prevalence of Campylobacter species in diarrhoeal stools in Barbados

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter spp in stools submitted for investigation of diarrhoeal disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: Stool specimens were cultured for Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter using appropriate selective media. Isolates of Campylobacter spp. were identified by a latex agglutination test, and antimicrobial sensitivities were performed using E-test strips. RESULTS: Stools from 951 patients were cultured for bacterial pathogens during the 13 months of this study. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 93 stools (9.8 percent, 95 percent CI 8.0-11.9), Campylobacter spp. from 53 (5.6 percent, 95 percent CI 4.2-7.2) and Shigella spp. from 28 (2.9 percent, 95 percent CI 2.0-4.2). Stools from which pathogens were isolated were significantly more likely to contain blood, mucus or white blood cells. Erythromycin was active against 92 percent of Campylobacter isolates tested, tetracycline against 61 percent, and ciprofloxacin against 58 percent. The majority of pathogens (79 percent) were isolated from stools submitted from children under 12 years of age (69 percent) and from the community (79 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Campylobacter spp. are common in patients with diarrhoea in Barbados and should be included in the routine investigation of diarrhoeal illnesses.(Au)