Noroviruses are the leading cause of acute viral gastroenteritis in human beings and frequently cause the outbreaks of nosocomial infections. Based on the pathogenic characteristics of noroviruses, this article describes the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak in hospital and explores the measures to prevent and control the nosocomial outbreak.
Caliciviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Gastroenteritis ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Norovirus ; physiology

COVID-19/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross Infection/virology* ; Fever/virology* ; Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data* ; Hospitals, Isolation/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification*

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new infectious disease, which has a strong virus transmission power and complex transmission routes. This disease is prone to outbreak of cluster infection. It is difficult for medical workers to provide a better perioperative treatment for surgery patient with COVID-19 while avoiding hospital spread effectively. The perioperative management for such patients needs to fully consider the possible lung injury factors caused by anesthesia and surgery. It also needs to choose the suitable timing of the operation, carry out preoperative infection screening and evaluation, and implement lung protection strategies during and after the operation to avoid aggravating the lung injury. Meanwhile, it is necessary to pay more attention to infection prevention and control in order to avoid nosocomial infection.
Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; therapy ; Cross Infection ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; virology ; Pandemics ; Perioperative Care ; Pneumonia, Viral ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo identify the etiology of an aseptic encephalitis outbreak (ten cases) in a hospital of Xiamen city from 11 to 17 May, 2011.

METHODSA total of ten patients' throat swabs, anal swabs and cerebrospinal fluid were collected and detected by RT-PCR for pan-enterovirus. The samples containing detectable pan-enterovirus were tested by PCR with genotype-specific general primers located in VP1 region of enterovirus genotype A, B and C (HEV-A, B and C). The PCR products of VP1 segment were purified and sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was performed. Meanwhile, the pathogens in those samples were isolated in Vero cell culture. Homologous analysis of VP1 sequences were carried out for the cultured virus samples and the original clinical samples to identify the outbreak etiology.

RESULTSAmong the ten cases, seven cases were positive for pan-enterovirus nucleic acid. When tested by genotype-specific PCR, the throat and anal swab samples from those 7 patients were positive with HEV-B VP1 primers. Meanwhile, the HEV-B VP1 segments were sequenced and phylogenetic analyzed, which indicated the seven cases were all infected by enterovirus Echo 30. The sequences from those samples had homology of 95.3% - 97.1% with the epidemic strains in Zhejiang, 2004. Out of the seven cases, the sequences of XM2, XM3, XM4, XM8 throat swab samples and XM3, XM6 throat samples showed 99.4% - 100.0% homology which were different from the sequence of XM1, and the homology was 92.8% - 93.4%. Furthermore, the viruses were isolated using Vero cells from XM1, XM2, XM3, XM4 and XM8 throat swab samples, and the VP1 sequence showed more than 99.9% homology with the original specimens.

CONCLUSIONThe local outbreak of aseptic encephalitis was caused by Echo 30 of enterovirus genotype B, and the epidemic strains may have different genetic background.

Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; virology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Encephalitis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Enterovirus ; genetics ; Enterovirus B, Human ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data

OBJECTIVEIn order to find out a more convenient, rapid and efficient way in detecting human Norovirus infections in specimens collected from hospitalized patients with acute non-bacterial diarrhea in Beijing.

METHODSTwo kits for enzyme immunoassay (EIA) were used to detect human Noroviruses in stool specimens collected from 69 infants and young children as well as 15 adults who were all diagnosed as acute non-bacterial diarrhea in 4 different hospitals. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was performed to evaluate the data from two kits in this study. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 11.5 software. chi2 test was used to test categorical variables.

RESULTSOut of 84 stool specimens collected from infants and young children or adults with acute non-bacterial diarrhea, 17 (20.2%) were Norovirus positive determined by EIA kit A and 31 (36.9%) were Norovirus positive determined by EIA kit B. chi2 test used to test categorical variables showed significant differences (P < 0.01), suggesting that the EIA kit B was superior to the EIA kit A. Among these 84 stool specimens, 20 were tested by RT-PCR simultaneously. Out of those 20 specimens, 11 (55.0%) were Norovirus positive as determined by RT-PCR, which was higher than that from 2 EIA kits.

RESULTSfrom 10 (50.0%) samples detected by EIA kit A were consistent with those detected by RT-PCR. Through chi2 test, the categorical variables showed significant differences with P < 0.05, suggesting that RT-PCR was superior to the EIA kit A. Results from 14 (70.0%) samples detected by EIA kit B were consistent with those detected by RT-PCR while chi2 test showed that the differences were not significant (P > 0.05), among categorical variables suggesting that EIA kit B was as sensitive as RT-PCR in detecting Norovirus. The were hospital acquired diarrhea outbreaks in these three hospitals since at least 2 Norovirus positive specimens were detected in each of the hospitals.

CONCLUSIONTo detect human Noroviruses infection, EIA seemed to be more convenient and time saving than RT-PCR which had been used worldwide. The EIA kit B in this study was comparable to RT-PCR for detecting Norovirus in stool specimens. Norovirus was a pathogen causing hospital acquired diarrhea outbreaks in these three hospitals.

Adult ; Caliciviridae Infections ; diagnosis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Cross Infection ; diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; virology ; Feces ; virology ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Infant ; Norovirus ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate and analyze a case of acute norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak in a hospital.

METHODSData were collected through the on-the-spot investigation and faecal specimens were tested by polymerase chain reaction-reverse transcription (RT-PCR). Serum specimens were tested by Western blot.

RESULTSThe outbreak lasted 26 days. A total of 87 cases were reported, including 65 inpatients, 15 healthcare workers, 6 accompanies, and 1 pantryman. Twelve (60%) of 20 stool specimens were norovirus-positive by RT-PCR and 19 of 24 blood samples were norovirus-positive by Western blot. The outbreak was effectively controlled by isolating and treating the patients, extensive disinfection, and health education.

CONCLUSIONThe gastroenteritis outbreak was caused by norovirus with unkown infection source.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Caliciviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; virology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Gastroenteritis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Norovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Young Adult

Adult ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Cross Infection/prevention & control* ; Female ; Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Tract Diseases/virology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Taiwan/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to explore the epidemiological factors of an influenza A (H1N1) outbreak in a hospital.

METHODSGeneral data were collected via face-to-face interview and telephone survey. Total 132 individuals including medical and nursing staffs (37), in-patients (39) and patients' family members (56) who were exposed to the pediatric surgery ward during August 11 - 18, 2009, were investigated. The case group included 35 cases according to the diagnostic criteria for influenza A (H1N1). The other 97 persons were grouped as control. A case-control study was then conducted to explore the epidemic factors, and layering analysis was applied to determine the interactions among these factors.

RESULTSThe overall incidence in this study was 26.5% (35/132), which included 12 confirmed and 23 suspected cases, and there was no severe case. The first case was a child with the influenza-like symptoms before admission on August 11. The onsets of these cases were during August 7 - 17. The cases were distributed in 9 of 13 rooms, and there was no room aggregation in the cases distribution (χ(2) = 0.00, P > 0.05). Twelve of 25 oropharyngeal swabs were influenza A (H1N1) nucleic acid positive. The case-control study showed that exposure to the enema room accounted for 93.10% (27/29) in cases and 72.73% (48/66) in control; OR = 5.06, 95%CI = 1.01 - 34.23), long time exposure to ward was 71.43% (25/35) in cases and 44.33% (43/97) in control; OR = 3.14, 95%CI = 1.27 - 7.90), and short distance contact with the nurse LIU (76.46% (26/34) in cases and 50.52% (49/97) in control; OR = 3.18, 95%CI = 1.22 - 8.54) were the risk factors. However, keeping the window open (27.59% (8/29) in cases and 68.18% (45/66) in control; OR = 0.14, 95%CI = 0.05 - 0.39) and hand washing (25.71% (9/35) in cases and 76.29% (74/97) in control; OR = 0.11, 95%CI = 0.04 - 0.28) were the protective factors. The longer time exposure to ward had the higher risk (ratios of cases to control were 4:20 (0 - 1 day), 6:34 (2 - 4 days) and 25:43 (≥ 5 days); χ(2)(trend) = 5.737, P < 0.05). In contrast, hand washing with more frequencies (ratios of cases to control were 26:23 (0 - 1 time one day), 7:9 (2 - 3 times one day) and 2:65 (≥ 4 times one day); χ(2)(trend) = 37.136, P < 0.01) and the longer time window opening (ratios of cases to control were 21:21 (no), 4:13 (a few) and 4:32 (often); χ(2)(trend) = 13.830, P < 0.01) had the lower risk. Nevertheless, layering analysis excluded long time exposure to ward from the risk factors (for individuals with more frequent hand washing, 6.90% (2/29) exposed in cases, 7.14% (1/14) exposed in control, OR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.06 - 29.51; for individuals keeping window open, 21.21% (7/33) exposed in cases, 8.33% (1/12) exposed in control, OR = 2.55, 95%CI = 0.26 - 60.87), indicating the main risk factors in this outbreak were exposure to the enema room and short distance contagion with the infected nurse.

CONCLUSIONThe influenza A (H1N1) outbreak in this hospital was induced by an inpatient infected with influenza A (H1N1) virus before admission. Infected medical staffs keeping on work and exposure to the same place, e.g.the enema room in this study might spread the influenza A (H1N1) virus, and frequent hand washing and keeping the window open are the most effective and economic methods to prevent influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; virology ; Disease Outbreaks ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Risk Factors

No abstract available.
Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; Cross Infection/diagnosis/*prevention & control/transmission/virology ; Evidence-Based Medicine/standards ; Humans ; Infection Control/*standards ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional/prevention & control ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient/prevention & control ; Influenza Vaccines/*administration & dosage ; Influenza, Human/diagnosis/*prevention & control/transmission/virology ; Occupational Health Services/*standards ; Risk Factors ; *Seasons ; Vaccination/*standards

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of measles outbreak caused by genotype D8 virus in Pinghu city of Zhejiang province, and provide evidence for the control of the outbreak. Methods: The measles outbreak data were collected through National Measles Surveillance System. The outpatient records and admission records were checked, field investigation and outbreak response were conducted. Blood samples in acute phase and swab specimens were collected from the patients for laboratory testing, including serology test, RNA extraction and amplification, measles virus isolation and genotype identification. Software SPSS 17.0 and Excel 2016 were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 10 confirmed measles cases were reported in Pinghu city, and 8 cases were aged >40 years. Six blood samples were collected, in which 5 were measles D8 virus positive and 1 was negative in measles virus detection. There were epidemiological links among 10 cases which occurred in a factory, a hospital and a family at the same time. There was no statistical difference in symptoms among cases caused by D8 virus and H1a virus. After the emergent measles vaccination, the measles outbreak was effectively controlled. Conclusion: Untimely response due to the uneasy detection of measles cases in the early stage, nosocomial infection and weak barrier of measles immunity in adults might be the main reasons for this outbreak. Measles vaccination is effective in the prevention of measles D8 virus infection. It is necessary to strengthen measles genotype monitoring for the tracing of infection source and control of outbreaks.
Adult ; Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis ; Child ; Cross Infection ; Disease Outbreaks ; Genotype ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Measles/virology* ; Measles virus/isolation & purification* ; Outpatients ; Population Surveillance ; RNA, Viral/genetics* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA