Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2009; 213 - FV_N_01_01
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1222765

Incidence of respiratory syncytial virus colonization and/or infection at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit during an RSV season

A Berger 1, E Obwegeser 1, M Langgartner 1, A Mutenthaler 2, T Popow-Kraupp 3, A Pollak 1
  • 1Klinische Abteilung für allgemeine Pädiatrie und Neonatologie, Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien
  • 2Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster
  • 3Institut für Virologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Österreich

Background. At lot is known about acquisition of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in pediatric wards inside the hospital. However, only few data are available on the incidence of RSV infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that a considerable number of preterm infants acquires RSV already at the NICU, prior to the first discharge home.

Design. In order to test this hypotheses, a prospective epidemiologic survey (repetitive sampling of nasopharyngeal swabs twice weekly for a period of 8 weeks during the peak of RSV season, and testing for RSV by seminested rt-PCR) was performed in all preterm infants submitted to the NICU and Intermediate Care Unit of the Medical University Vienna, the medical and nursing staff as well as the parents/visitors of those patients during January 14 to March 10, 2008.

Results. A total of 1230 samples was taken and analyzed during the study period. Of those, 344 were taken from patients, 555 from staff, and 331 from visitors. Only 2 samples from 1 patient (26 week gestational age preterm infant) tested positive for RSV as did 2 samples from medical staff (one doctor and one nurse). The patient had acquired serious RSV infection at the intermediate care unit and ultimately died from complications during the infection. The doctor and the nurse had signs of mild respiratory infection.

Conclusion. Nosocomial RSV infection is a rare event at the NICU and intermediate care unit, although these infections have a considerable risk of an adverse outcome in this setting.

neonatal intensive care unit - nosocomial transmission - respiratory syncytial virus