Bacterial gastroenteritis in children below five years of age: a cross-sectional study focused on etiology and drug resistance of Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp.

Abstract Background Gastroenteritis is a common infectious disease in children, which results high mortality and morbidity, especially resource-poor countries. This study presents the selected main gastroenteritis causing bacteria, including Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella Shigella species delineating their prevalence resistance pattern to clinically used antibiotics. Results A total of 346 stool specimens from children suspected below five years have been obtained, bacterial pathogens were recovered using selective media, biochemical serologic tests. We found that 35 (10%) them confirmed (BGE) with either O157 (14%), spp. (43%), (43%). Nevertheless, E. spp., this documented as 1.45%, 4.34%, respectively. Moreover, 2 (40%) 4 (26.67%) 14 (93%) multidrug-resistant. Nonetheless, isolates showed 100%, 87%, 73% cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin respectively, while 80% cotrimoxazole 60% ciprofloxacin azithromycin. On contrary, azithromycin, tetracycline resistant 40%, 47%, 27%, 53% Conclusion These findings generate significant insights on antibiotic three major bacteria area. Therefore, it will help physicians policymakers selecting right antibiotics essential cases, particularly, reevaluation recommending management gastroenteritis.