Screening of rotavirus and adenovirus infections during prolonged hospitalization in a neonatal unit

Abstract

Hällströ m M, Vesikari T, Janas M, Ikonen S, Tammela O. Screening of rotavirus and adenovirus infections during prolonged hospitalization in a neonatal unit. Acta Paediatr 2001; 90: 1196-1198 Rotavirus and adenovirus infections in 308 infants hospitalized for longer than 1 wk, and cases with necrotizing enterocolitis, were screened in a neonatal unit during a 15 mo period, covering two rotavirus epidemics in the community. Altogether, 1020 stool samples were collected weekly until hospital discharge, and in necrotizing enterocolitis cases at the onset of symptoms, and tested for rotavirus and adenovirus by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The positive samples were further analysed by polymerase chain reaction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed ve adenovirus-positive cases, which were tested negative by polymerase chain reaction. Out of 16 necrotizing enterocolitis cases, one was adenovirus-and another rotavirus positive when tested by polymerase chain reaction, the latter having a concomitant Candida albicans septicaemia.Conclusion: Routine rotavirus and adenovirus screening in hospitalized neonates seems to be unnecessary. Viral diagnostic examinations should be considered in patients with necrotizing enterocolitis.

Astrovirus and digestive disorders in neonatal units

“…It is mainly observed in very preterm infants and involves many risk factors and many potential mechanisms including infection (21). It has been occasionally associated with viral infections including rotavirus (22), torovirus (23), cytomegalovirus (24), adenovirus (25) and recently HAstV (9) and norovirus (26,27). The potential role of astrovirus is not established, but this virus has rarely been sought (9,28,29).…”