Norovirus infection in general hospitals for adults

Abstract

Aim. To determine the role of noroviruses in the rise of hospital outbreaks of acute intestinal infections (AII), to study clinical and epidemiological aspects of hospital noroviral infection. Material and methods. Routine diagnostic methods and diagnostic tests on the base of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used for identification of group A rotaviruses, noroviruses, astroviruses, adenoviruses, salmonella, thermophilic campilobacteria, shigella, enteroinvasive echerichia (EIEC) in 70 adult patients with AII transferred from general hospital to infection hospital in 2003-2007. A part of the strains was typed with primers specific for genetic cluster G2/4. Results. Routine methods failed to identify causes of hospital infection. PCR detected AII etiology in 77.8% patients. Norovirus of the second genotype (G2) was identified as monoinfection in 87.8% verified cases, in association with other agents - in 12.2%. Typed noroviruses belonged to cluster G2/4. Nosocomial norovirus infection was characterized by winter-spring occurrence and a moderate course. Conclusion. An essential role of noroviruses in hospital AII outbreaks in elderly patients in winter-spring is shown.

Keywords

• norovirus
• hospital infections
• outbreaks
• polymerase chain reaction
• adults