Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage rates among infants in Owerri, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

A microbiological survey was carried out on children attending the Paediatric Clinic of the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri; Edo State; Nigeria. The study was carried out to determine the carriage rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae; the common cause of acute cold and death among children. Of a total of 71 specimens; S pneumoniae was isolated from 49; a prevalence of 69. Sex distribution showed that females had a higher carriage rate than males (55vs 45; p=0.05). Children between 12 months and 4 years of age had higher prevalence rates of S pneumoniae than children under 12 months and over 4 years