Respiratory syncytial virus is present in the neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Nosocomial transmission of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) occurs in children within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). During peak community RSV transmission, three swabs were collected from the nose, hand and personal clothing of visitors and health care workers (HCW) in NICU once every week for eight weeks. Nasal swabs were collected from every third neonate and from any neonate clinically suspected of having a respiratory infection. Environmental sampling of high touch areas was done once during the study period. All swabs were tested for RSV using real time RT-PCR. There were 173 (519 total) and 109 (327 total) swabs, each of nose, hand and dress from 84 HCWs and 80 visitors respectively and 81 nasal swabs from 55 neonates collected. Thirty five environmental swabs from surfaces of the beds, side tables, counter tops, chairs, tables and computers were collected. Overall 1% of nasal swabs from each of HCWs, visitors and neonates, 4% of dress specimens from visitors and 9% of environmental swabs were positive for RSV-RNA. The results suggest that though the risk for RSV in the NICU remains low, personnel clothing are contaminated with RSV-RNA and may have a role in transmission.

Impact of respiratory viruses in the neonatal intensive care unit

“…While these interventions were associated with reducing transmission events in our NICU, they did not eliminate respiratory viruses. There are likely multiple 'portals of entry' for respiratory viruses, including unrecognized ill visitors and HCP, adults who are infectious prior to the onset of symptoms, and/or asymptomatic adult or infant carriers shedding viruses [4,27].…”

Emission rates and the personal cloud effect associated with particle release from the perihuman environment

“…11,12 The human body is home to a diverse community of microorganisms, primarily bacteria, 38 but also fungi 39 and other organisms. Clothing can also contain microorganisms such as bacteria [40][41][42] and viruses 43 that, together with bacteria-laden skin flakes, fragments and fibers, get dispersed to the surroundings via occupants' activities owing to frictional forces involving fabric fibers, external contact surfaces, and/or the wearer's skin. 15,19,44,45 Increasing evidence identifies human occupancy as an important source of airborne bacterial and fungal DNA in indoor air.…”

Association of rhinovirus with exacerbations in young children affected by cystic fibrosis: Preliminary data

“…Nosocomial transmission of respiratory viruses occurs and is a consideration when implementing policies around cohorting of patients with CF. An Italian study tested hospital air and environmental surfaces of toilets for RV, and it was not detected, however, previous studies have identified influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in samples of hospital air and surfaces …”

“…An Italian study tested hospital air and environmental surfaces of toilets for RV, and it was not detected, 7 however, previous studies have identified influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in samples of hospital air and surfaces. [8][9][10] We carried out a study to investigate the RV infections present in a cohort of children with CF who attended a CF outpatient clinic in Sydney, Australia. The aims of this study were to determine whether RV was correlated with exacerbations in a cohort of children with CF, and whether a particular strain of RV was associated with exacerbation.…”