Childhood Dysentery In Ilesa, Nigeria: The Unusual Role Of Entamoeba Histolytica

Abstract

Background: Shigella species are the usual aetiologies of dysentery in the developing world while Entamoeba histolytica is regarded as uncommon in young children. Objective: To determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in childhood dysentery in Ilesa, Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional survey of consecutive under-five children with bloody diarrhoeic stools. Fresh stool specimens were examined microscopically and also cultured on Desoxycholate Citrate Agar (DCA) and MacConkey Agar. Results: A total of 300 under-five children with diarrhoea were recruited out of which 41 had dysentery giving a prevalence of 13.7%. Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica were identified in 33 (80.5%) cases while Trichuris trichiuria and Shigella species were isolated in 1 (2.4%) and 4 (9.8%) cases respectively. No pathogens were identified in 2 (4.9%) cases. Conclusion: Entamoeba histolytica is a prominent aetiology of childhood dysentery in Ilesa, Nigeria.