Mountain Top University Library

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of bacteremia in children in African countries where malaria is widespread, and it always presents the same symptoms. Malaria parasite infection is a disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in most tropical areas of the world where climatic circumstances and sanitation standards favor its spread. Recent research all over the
world has found an increased incidence of malaria co-infection with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in children, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. This study sought to examine the prevalence of co-infection of malaria parasitemia and MRSA Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in children aged between 1 to 15 years old from a major health center in Ogun State, Nigeria. This study also determined the antibiotic susceptibility profile of S. aureus. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and represented quantitatively. Statistical analysis was carried out on collected data to test
relationships between variables. A total of 40 blood samples from febrile children believed to have bacteremia were tested. Bacterial isolation was carried out via streaking method and characterized by biochemical tests to detect the presence of bacteria in the blood. The presence of malaria parasitemia was determined using thick film methods, whereas packed cell volume
(PCV) was determined using the hematocrit method. A thermometer was also used to measure the temperature. According to the findings of this study, prevalence of co-infection was reported as 10%. The prevalence of malaria single infection was recorded to be 37.5% while the prevalence of bacteremia single infection was 10% as well. Two out of eight (25%) methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus were isolated. Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Temperature were found to be significant factors affecting malaria infection in this study. The antibiotic sensitivity profile of Staphylococcus aureus revealed multi-drug resistance to multiple
antibiotics. In conclusion, malaria co-infection with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in children is a challenge to public health that requires a deeper understanding of its epidemiology and treatment implications.Key words: Co-infection, Staphylococcus aureus, bacteremia, MRSA, malaria