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Monitoring of rotavirus infection in a paediatric hospital by RNA electrophoresis
1Department of Virology, Medical University of Southern Africa.
Insights
Hospital-acquired rotavirus infections were low (9%) in children, with minimal asymptomatic carriage detected. Electrophoresis identified a dominant rotavirus strain with a long RNA profile during the study period.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Rotaviruses are a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease in infants and young children globally.
- Hospital-acquired infections (nosocomial infections) are a significant concern in pediatric settings, potentially increasing morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding rotavirus transmission dynamics within hospitals is crucial for implementing effective infection control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the incidence and potential for hospital-acquired rotavirus infections in infants and young children at H. F. Verwoerd Hospital.
- To investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic rotavirus carriage among hospitalized children.
- To characterize the circulating rotavirus strains using electrophoretic analysis.
Main Methods:
- Collection and examination of stool specimens from pediatric patients during two distinct periods (spring 1987 and autumn 1988).
- Inclusion of children admitted for non-gastroenteritis reasons to assess asymptomatic carriage.
- Electrophoretic analysis of rotavirus RNA profiles to identify and differentiate viral strains.
Main Results:
- Hospital-acquired rotavirus infection was identified in only 9% of cases.
- Asymptomatic carriage of rotavirus was found to be very low.
- Electrophoretic analysis revealed a dominant rotavirus strain (20/42 infections) with a long RNA profile, alongside seven minor strains (five long, two short electrophoretypes).
- A small outbreak of nosocomial infection caused by a single rotavirus strain was observed in a pediatric ward.
Conclusions:
- The risk of hospital-acquired rotavirus infection in the studied pediatric unit was relatively low during the investigation period.
- Asymptomatic rotavirus carriage appears uncommon in this pediatric population.
- The circulation of a predominant rotavirus strain with a long RNA profile, and a minor outbreak, highlights the importance of ongoing surveillance and strain characterization for infection control.
Abstract:
During the spring of 1987 and the autumn of 1988, stool specimens were collected from infants and young children in the paediatric unit at H. F. Verwoerd Hospital, Pretoria, and examined for the presence of rotaviruses to assess the potential for hospital-acquired infection in the paediatric wards. Stool samples were also collected from children admitted to the hospital for causes unrelated to gastro-enteritis to investigate the possible asymptomatic carriage of rotavirus in this population. Hospital-acquired rotavirus infection was determined in only 9% of cases. Very little asymptomatic carriage of the virus was identified. Electrophoretic analysis of the rotavirus strains showed that the majority of the infections (20 of 42) were associated with a particular strain with a long RNA profile, while 7 minor strains co-circulated (5 with a long electrophoretype and 2 with a short one). An apparent small outbreak of nosocomial infection with a single strain was observed to occur in one of the paediatric wards during the spring and early summer.