African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (8), pp. 1031-1034, 16 April 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

The prevalence of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica among diarrhea patients in Jos, Nigeria

A. E. J. Okwori¹*, G. O. A. Agada¹, A. O. Olabode¹, S. E. Agina², E. S. Okpe³ and J. Okopi⁴

¹Department of Medical Microbiology, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Nigeria.

²Department of Botany, University of Jos, Nigeria.

³Paediatric Department, University of Jos, Nigeria.

⁴Apin Laboratories, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: okwori2001@yahoo.com. Tel: (cell) 234 80 37 00 11 72. Fax:  234 73 280271.

Accepted 2 April, 2007

One hundred and fifty (150) stool samples from diarrhoeic children and adults seeking for medical attention (including hospitalized patients) in Vom Christain Hospital (VCH), Mandela Clinic (MC) Vom and Dagott Family Health Clinic (DFHC) Vom were screened for Yersinia enterocolitica infection between August 2005 and August 2006. The isolation methods adopted were direct plating on MacConkey Agar (MCA), Deoxycholate Citrate Agar (DCA) and cold enrichment method using phosphate buffered saline prior to subculture onto selective solid culture media (Cefsulodin Irgasan Novobiocin [CIN] agar). Out of the 150 samples screened, 6 (15%) were positive. The incidence of the infection was highest among those aged 1 - 10 years 3 (7.5%), followed by 21 - 31 years 2 (5%) and 11 - 20 years 1 (2.5%). Serotyped and biotyped, pathogenic Y. enterocolitica (2/O: 9. 4/O: 9) were susceptible to ciprofloxin, floxavid, streptomycin and tetracycline.

Key words: Diarrhea, Yersinia enterocolitica, Nigeria.