• Martha F Mushi, Vaileth G Alex, Mwanaisha Seugendo, Vitus Silago, and Stephen E Mshana.
• Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Science.
• Afr Health Sci. 2019 Dec 1; 19 (4): 3217-3224.

IntroductionGram-negative bacteria are the major cause of urinary tract infections (UTI) in children. There is limited data on UTI systemic response as measured using C-reactive protein (CRP). Here, we report the association of CRP and UTI among children attending the Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between May and July 2017. Urine and blood were collected and processed within an hour of collection. Data were analyzed using STATA version 13.ResultsOf 250 enrolled children, 76(30.4%) had significant bacteriuria with 56(22.4%, 95%CI; 11.5-33.3) having gram-negative bacteria infection. There was dual growth of gram-negative bacteria in 3 patients. Escherichia coli (32.2%, 19/59) was the most frequently pathogen detected. A total of 88/250(35.2%) children had positive CRP on qualitative assay. By multinomial logistic regression, positive CRP (RRR=4.02, 95%CI: 2.1-7.7, P<0.001) and age ≤ 2years (RRR=2.4, 95%CI: 1.23-4.73, P<0.01) significantly predicted the presence of significant bacteriuria due to gram-negative enteric bacteria.ConclusionC-reactive protein was significantly positive among children with UTI due to gram-negative bacteria and those with fever. In children with age ≤ 2 years, positive CRP indicates UTI due to gram-negative enteric bacteria.© 2019 Mushi et al.

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