ABSTRACT

A study on prevalence and bacterial species associated with gastroenteritis among students in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture was conducted. Fifty stool samples from students that indicated cases of gastroenteritis from the questionnaire were examined. The stool samples were inoculated using the streak plate method. The following bacteria were isolated, Escherichia coli, salmonella species and Shigella species. Eschericha coli had the highest frequency of 54.2%, followed by Salmonella species (29.2%) while the least occurrence was recorded against Shigella species (16.7%). More cases were observed in females (52%) than in males (48%). Also, those living in the school hostel had more cases (66%) than those living off campus (34%). Effective sanitary condition should be maintained among students to avoid gastroenteritis which is a leading cause of morbidity that interferes with their academics.  

TABLE OF CONTENT

Cover page

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Contents v 

List of Tables vii

Abstract viii

CHAPTER ONE 1

1.0        Introduction 1

1.1        Aim of research 3

CHAPTER TWO 4

2.0        Literature review 4 

2.1 Escherichia coli 5 

2.2 Sailmonella species 7

2.3 Campylobacter species 7 

2.4 Shigella species 8 

2.5 Aeromonas species 9

2.6 Yersinia species 10

CHAPTER THREE 11

3.0        Materials and methods 11

3.1 Study area 11

3.2 Collection of samples 11

3.3 preparation of culture media 11

3.4 Isolation of bacteria species associated with gastroenteritis 12

3.5 Morphological examination of the isolates 12

3.6 Biochemical identification of isolates 12

3.6.1 Motility test 12 

3.6.2 Sugar fermentation test 13 

3.6.3 IMViC tests 13 

3.6.4 Urease test 14

3.6.5 Catalase test 15

3.6.6 Oxidase test 15

CHAPTER FOUR 16

4.0       Results 16

CHAPTER FIVE 20

5.0      Discussion, conclusion and recommendation 20

5.1 Discussion 20

5.2 Conclusion 21

5.3 Recommendation 22

References 23

Appendix 28