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Nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus infections
Insights
Nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are frequent in hospitalized infants, leading to longer stays and pneumonia. Hospital staff also contracted RSV, acting as significant carriers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory illness in infants.
- Nosocomial infections pose a significant threat to hospitalized patients, particularly vulnerable infants.
- Community outbreaks can increase the risk of nosocomial pathogen transmission within healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and severity of nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus infections on an infants' ward during a community outbreak.
- To identify risk factors associated with nosocomial RSV acquisition in hospitalized infants.
- To assess the role of healthcare staff in the transmission of RSV within the ward.
Main Methods:
- Prospective surveillance of infants and staff on a pediatric ward over two months.
- Regular clinical examinations and collection of specimens for viral isolation (RSV).
- Statistical analysis to compare outcomes between infected and uninfected infants and to identify risk factors.
Main Results:
- 14 out of 44 infants acquired RSV nosocomially, with four developing pneumonia.
- Infected infants had a significantly longer mean hospital stay (21.5 days) compared to uninfected infants (9.2 days).
- Risk of infection increased with length of hospitalization; 45% of infants hospitalized for ≥1 week acquired RSV. Ten of 24 staff members also contracted RSV.
Conclusions:
- Nosocomial RSV infections represent a substantial risk to hospitalized infants, increasing morbidity and hospital length of stay.
- Hospital staff are a significant source of RSV transmission, acting as carriers.
- Effective infection control measures are crucial to prevent RSV spread in pediatric wards, especially during community outbreaks.
Abstract:
We studied the frequency and severity of respiratory syncytial virus infections acquired nosocomially on an infants' ward during a community outbreak. Every three or four days all infants and staff were examined, and specimens were obtained for viral isolation. During two months, 14 of 44 contact infants acquired the virus. All were ill, and four had pneumonia. Infected infants had a significantly longer mean hospital stay (21.5 days) than uninfected ones (9.2 days, P less than 0.001). Risk of nosocomial infection could not be related to age or to underlying disease, but was linked to length of hospitalization: 45 per cent of infants hospitalized for one week or more became infected, and the percentage increased with length of stay. Ten of 24 staff members also acquired the virus and appeared to play a major role as virus carriers. Nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus infection poses a major risk for hospitalized infants and adds to hospital costs.