Role of neuraminidase inhibitor chemoprophylaxis in controlling nosocomial influenza: an observational study

Abstract

Please cite this paper as: Higa et al. (2012) Role of neuraminidase inhibitor chemoprophylaxis in controlling nosocomial influenza: an observational study. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(4), 299–303. Background An influenza outbreak might result in disruption of services at acute care setting hospitals. Objectives In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the use of neuraminidase inhibitor chemoprophylaxis for prevention of nosocomial spread of influenza in a university hospital. Patients/Methods During the 3‐year study period, 202 index cases of influenza [30 hospitalized patients and 172 healthcare workers (HCW)] and 762 individuals who had had close contact with the index cases (248 hospitalized patients and 514 HCW) were identified. Of these contacts, 416 received neuraminidase inhibitor chemoprophylaxis. Results When both the index cases and the close contacts were hospitalized patients, the incidence of influenza was lower among the close contacts who received chemoprophylaxis than among those who did not (odds ratio, 0·07; confidence interval, 0·01–0·49; P = 0·012). In contrast, when the index cases were HCW, the incidence of influenza was not different between close contacts who did or did not receive chemoprophylaxis. Conclusions This study suggests that chemoprophylaxis might be useful to prevent nosocomial spread of infection between hospitalized patients.

Nosocomial vs community-acquired pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009: a nested case–control study

“…7 A recent study demonstrated the role of neuraminidase inhibitors in preventing the spread of nosocomial influenza between patients. 28 In summary, nearly one-tenth of hospitalized children with pH1N1 in Australia acquired the infection in healthcare settings. Children with underlying medical conditions were at greater risk of developing nosocomial pH1N1.…”

Viral Pneumonia in Patients with Hematologic Malignancy or Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

“…Chemoprophylaxis with antiviral therapy can limit the spread of infection during outbreaks or high-risk seasons. Higa and colleagues 101 demonstrated that neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors may be effective at preventing nosocomial transmission of influenza in hospitalized patients. In a study of HSCT recipients who reside in an outpatient residential facility while undergoing treatment, oseltamivir was provided to all residents after several patients were diagnosed with influenza.…”

Prevention of a Nosocomial Infection Caused by Influenza Virus A Using Prophylactic Administration of Oseltamivir: An Observational Study with Review of the Literature

“…Clinical features of patients with influenza ( Figure 4) We evaluated sequential temperatures of inpatients before and after being diagnosing as having influenza infection. Although, there are few reports concerning prophylaxis of nosocomial infection before the out-break of pandemic A H1N1, 10,16 there are many articles concerning the prophylactic use of NIs in nosocomial settings after the outbreak of pandemic A H1N1 ( Table 1). As shown in Figure 4, mean highest temperature was 37.7 « 0.82°C (mean « standard er-ror).…”

“…1 it is impossible to prevent all nosocomial influenza virus infections. More specifically, the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis in the hospital setting [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] has not been well established. Chemoprophylaxis for those who have had close contact with index cases may supplement pre-requisite vaccination to control influenza virus infection.…”

“…3 Although there are many reports concerning the efficacy of chemoprophylaxis to prevent influenza outbreaks, the usefulness of chemoprophylaxis has not been fully established. More specifically, the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis in the hospital setting [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] has not been well established. This study reports an episode of influenza virus infection among staff members and inpatients at a university hospital during a period of epidemic influenza in the community.…”