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[Epidemic of viral gastroenteritis in an elderly community]
1Service de Microbiologie B, CHU La Milétrie, Poitiers.
Insights
Viral gastroenteritis outbreaks, caused by rotavirus and adenovirus, frequently affect elderly patients in long-term care. This study highlights the significant morbidity and clinical signs in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Geriatrics
Context:
- Viral gastroenteritis is a common cause of illness in infants, but can also affect adults.
- Long-term care facilities are susceptible to outbreaks of infectious diseases.
- Elderly individuals may experience more severe symptoms and complications from viral gastroenteritis.
Purpose:
- To investigate an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis in a long-term hospitalization ward.
- To identify the causative agents and clinical characteristics of the outbreak.
- To assess the impact of viral gastroenteritis on elderly patients.
Summary:
- An epidemic of viral gastroenteritis occurred in a long-term care ward affecting 101 elderly patients (mean age 86 years).
- The clinical attack rate was 27.7%, with diarrhea, hyperthermia, and vomiting as primary symptoms.
- Rotavirus and adenovirus were identified as the causative agents, with mixed infections also occurring. Staff infections were also noted.
- Most patients recovered within 4-5 days, but the outbreak underscores the significant morbidity associated with viral gastroenteritis in the elderly.
Impact:
- Viral gastroenteritis poses a significant health risk to elderly individuals in institutional settings.
- Outbreaks can lead to high morbidity and potentially destabilize the health of vulnerable elderly patients.
- Understanding the epidemiology and clinical presentation of viral gastroenteritis in the elderly is crucial for prevention and control measures.
Abstract:
Rotaviruses and adenoviruses are the main aetiologic pathogens of gastroenteritis in infants. Adults may also be concerned with usually mild clinical symptoms. An epidemic of viral gastroenteritis occurred in a long-term hospitalization ward from July 25 to August 21, 1991: 101 patients. This study involved 26 females and 6 males with a mean age of 86 years (range 70-101 years), presenting clinical symptoms of gastroenteritis. The clinical attack rate was 27.7%. Outcome was favourable for the majority of patients who recovered in 4-5 days. The main clinical signs were diarrhoea (90.6%), hyperthermia (18.8%) and vomiting (18.8%). Virology investigations gave the diagnosis of 8 rotavirus infections, 6 adenovirus infections and 2 rotavirus and adenovirus mixed infections. Among staff members, 3 rotavirus and one adenovirus infections were diagnosed. The precise origin of the epidemic could not be determined from rotavirus electropherotypes obtained from stools of elderly and paediatric patients hospitalized during the same period. This outbreak recalls the viral involvement in diarrhoeal episodes of elderly people. These episodes of viral gastroenteritis are responsible for high morbidity in the elderly and may upset a precarious physiological state.