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. 2021 Mar 12:38:259.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.259.15864. eCollection 2021.

Pathogens associated with acute diarrhea, and comorbidity with malaria among children under five years old in rural Burkina Faso

Palpouguini Lompo  1 , Marc Christian Tahita  1 , Hermann Sorgho  1 , William Kaboré  1 , Adama Kazienga  1 , Ashmed Cheick Bachirou Nana  1 , Hamtandi Magloire Natama  1 , Isidore Juste Ouindgueta Bonkoungou  2   3 , Nicolas Barro  2 , Halidou Tinto  1
Affiliations

Pathogens associated with acute diarrhea, and comorbidity with malaria among children under five years old in rural Burkina Faso

Palpouguini Lompo et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: acute diarrhea in children under five years is a public health problem in developing countries and particularly in malaria-endemic areas where both diseases co-exist. The present study examined the etiology of childhood diarrhea and its comorbidity with malaria in a rural area of Burkina Faso.

Methods: conventional culture techniques, direct stools examination, and viruses´ detection by rapid tests were performed on the fresh stools and microscopy was used to diagnose malaria. Some risk factors were also assessed.

Results: on a total of 191 samples collected, at least one pathogen was identified in 89 cases (46.6%). The proportions of pathogens found on the 89 positive stool samples were parasites 51.69% (46 cases), viruses 39.33% (35 cases), and bacteria 14.61% (13 cases), respectively. The relationship between malaria and infectious diarrhea was significant in viral and parasites causes (p=0.005 and 0.043 respectively). Fever, vomiting and abdominal pain were the major symptoms associated with diarrhea, with 71.51%, 31.72% and 23.66% respectively. The highest viral diarrhea prevalence was reported during the dry season (OR=5.29, 95% CI: 1.74 - 16.07, p=0.001) while parasite diarrhea was more encountered during the rainy season (OR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.33 - 0.87, p=0.011).

Conclusion: Giardia spp and rotavirus were the leading cause of acute diarrhea in Nanoro, Burkina Faso with a predominance of rotavirus in children less than 2 years. Parasite and viral diarrhea were the most pathogens associated with malaria. However, the high rate of negative stool samples suggests the need to determine other enteric microorganisms.

Keywords: Burkina Faso; Diarrhea; bacteria; infectious; malaria; parasite; pathogens; rotavirus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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