Coronavirus-related nosocomial viral respiratory infections in a neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit: a prospective study

Abstract

The incidence of nosocomial viral respiratory infections (NVRI) in neonates and children hospitalized in paediatric and neonatal intensive care units (PNICU) is unknown. Human coronaviruses (HCoV) have been implicated in NVRI in hospitalized preterm neonates. The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of HCoV-related NVRI in neonates and children hospitalized in a PNICU and the prevalence of viral respiratory tract infections in staff. All neonates (age< or =28 days) and children (age>28 days) hospitalized between November 1997 and April 1998 were included. Nasal samples were obtained by cytological brush at admission and weekly thereafter. Nasal samples were taken monthly from staff. Virological studies were performed, using indirect immunofluorescence, for HCoV strains 229E and OC43, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus types A and B, paramyxoviruses types 1, 2 and 3 and adenovirus. A total of 120 patients were enrolled (64 neonates and 56 children). Twenty-two samples from 20 patients were positive (incidence 16.7%). In neonates, seven positive samples, all for HCoV, were detected (incidence 11%). Risk factors for NVRI in neonates were: duration of hospitalization, antibiotic treatment and duration of parenteral nutrition (P<0.01). Monthly prevalence of viral infections in staff was between 0% and 10.5%, mainly with HCoV. In children, 15 samples were positive in 13 children at admission (seven RSV, five influenza and three adenovirus) but no NVRI were observed. In spite of a high rate of community-acquired infection in hospitalized children, the incidence of NVRI with common respiratory viruses appears low in neonates, HCoV being the most important pathogen of NRVI in neonates during this study period. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term impact on pulmonary function.

Human Coronavirus Infection among Children with Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Thailand

“…sionally a more severe lower respiratory tract illness in this patient group [2,3] . Due to the diffi culty in distinguishing between respiratory pathogens clinically and by laboratory-based analysis, studies on the impact of respiratory infections are still quite limited.…”

Oligomerization of the carboxyl terminal domain of the human coronavirus 229E nucleocapsid protein

“…N and C-terminal tail peptide bind by cosedimentation in solution (View interaction) N and N bind by cosedimentation in solution (View Interaction: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12) C-terminal tail peptide and N bind by fluorescence technology (View interaction) N and N bind by cross-linking study (View interaction) N and N bind by cross-linking study (View Interaction: 1,2,3,4) Crown…”

“…Although HCoV-229E infections are generally mild, more severe upper and lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, have been well documented, particularly in infants, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised patients [1,3,4]. There have also been reports that clusters of HCoV-229E infections cause pneumonia in otherwise healthy adults [2,5].…”

Variability of Influenza AH1N1 Infections in a Neonatal Unit in Spain

“…This case is similar to our first case. Nosocomial infections have been described in association with several viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus and human bocavirus in neonates [11][12][13] . We believe that our first case was the result of nosocomial transmission because the baby was hospitalized from birth 21 days before.…”

“…Influenza AH1N1 should now be included among the potential pathogens that can cause nosocomial infection in neonatal units. Nosocomial respiratory viral infections in the neonatal unit are of importance and are associated with fatal complications [11][12][13] .…”