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[An epidemic in a maternity unit caused by an echo virus 11 variant (author's transl)]
Insights
An outbreak of aseptic meningitis and septicemia in newborns was linked to an antigenic variant of Echo virus 11. Environmental and clinical data helped reconstruct the infection route in a maternity ward.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics
Context:
- A maternity ward experienced a cluster of severe neonatal illnesses in October 1978.
- One infant died from septicemia, and six others developed aseptic meningitis.
Purpose:
- To identify the causative agent of the neonatal illness outbreak.
- To determine the transmission route of the identified virus within the maternity ward.
- To conduct detailed virological and clinical observations of the infection.
Summary:
- A 6-day-old infant died of septicemia, followed by aseptic meningitis in six other neonates. Twenty-five viral isolates were obtained from affected infants.
- Cross-neutralization tests identified an antigenic variant of Echo virus 11 as the causative agent.
- Environmental investigation, clinical data from 49 individuals, and a laboratory infection were used to reconstruct the transmission route.
Impact:
- Identified a specific viral variant responsible for a neonatal outbreak.
- Provided insights into the transmission dynamics of Echo virus 11 in a hospital setting.
- Highlighted the importance of environmental and clinical surveillance in controlling nosocomial infections.
Abstract:
In October 1978, a 6 day-old child became ill in a maternity ward and died with clinical signs of septicemia. In quick succession, 6 other children fell ill with aseptic meningitis, 5 within the first 10 days post partum and one child 4 weeks old. From these 6 children virus was isolated at different times and from various sites (CSF, pharynx, rectum). 25 isolates were obtained. By cross-neutralization an antigenic variant of Echo virus 11 was identified. Since further isolations were unsuccessful the route of infection was reconstructed from environmental investigation and clinical and serological data in 49 people. A laboratory infection with the agent isolated gave additional opportunities for detailed virological and clinical observations.