Abstract
RSV is a major cause of bronchiolitis in children less than 2 y and is an important cause of nosocomial infections especially in acutely ill neonates. During the 1985-86 RSV season over 245 specimens, mostly NP wash and ET aspirates, were cultured in Hep-2 cells and assayed with a fluorescent antibody (DFA). At the peak, 70% of specimens were positive indicating that the infections were epidemic. The DAF was more sensitive; 15% of specimens were positive by DFA only. Based on a 3-7 day incubation, lab tests and clinical status 18 infections were nosocomial. Of these 15 were pneumonia and 3 were upper respiratory infections. Of the 18 patients, 10 had underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease. Cohorting and contact isolation was instituted and gown, mask and gloves were used in the NICU. There were no further nosocomial infections although 50% of specimens submitted to the lab were positive for RSV. DFA and culture results were correlated with chest x-ray and symptoms. In summary, the DFA is a useful adjunct to the clinical diagnosis of RSV. Culture is unnecessary. Cohorting and contact isolation are sufficient except perhaps with the highest risk patients for effective infection control.
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Inderlied, C., Lemmelin, M., Oda, K. et al. DIAGNOSIS AND CONTROL OF NOSOCOMIAL RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV) INFECTIONS IN A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 257 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00541
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00541