Occurrence of Multiple Antibiotic Resistances in Escherichia coli Isolated from Children of Diarrheal Symptoms

This study was carried out to evaluate the resistance patterns of pathogenic Escherichia coli which cause diarrhea in children less than 5 years. Stool samples were collected from young children suffering from diarrhea in different hospitals and health centers, and the bacteria was then isolated and identified. The susceptibility of pathogenic Escherichia coli for seven known used antibiotics was then tested. The study showed that among every 3 young children suffering from diarrhea there is about one child his case was severe and infected with pathogenic Escherichia coli and need antibiotic medication, so the ratio between non-pathogenic and pathogenic Escherichia coli during this study was (2: 1). The bacteria under study shows 100 % resistance for Chloramphenicol, 62.5 % resistance and 37.5 % intermediate sensitivity for Erythromycin and intermediate sensitivity of 72.5 % for Amoxicillin. Also it showed 75 % sensitivity and 25 % intermediate sensitivity for Amoxycillin / Clavulanic acid. The susceptibility testing for Nalidixic Acid, Ampicillin / Sulbactam and Cotrimoxazole showed strong sensitivity of 100 % against pathogenic Escherichia coli.