Sean G Kelly1, Kristen Metzger2, Maureen K Bolon3, Christina Silkaitis2, Mary Mielnicki4, Jane Cullen5, Melissa Rooney5, Timothy Blanke6, AlaaEddin Tahboub6, Gary A Noskin7, Teresa R Zembower3. 1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. Electronic address: Sean-Kelly@northwestern.edu. 2. Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL. 3. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL. 4. Oncology Services, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL. 5. Corporate Health, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL. 6. Diagnostic Molecular Biology Laboratory, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL. 7. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: An increase in respiratory syncytial virus type B (RSV-B) infections was detected on an adult hematology/oncology and stem cell transplant unit during March 2015. This prompted an outbreak investigation. METHODS: Nosocomial cases were defined as RSV-B-positive patients who developed respiratory virus symptoms ≥ 7 days after admission to the unit or were readmitted with symptoms ≤ 7 days since last discharge from the unit. Strict outbreak control measures were implemented to stop the outbreak. RESULTS: During the outbreak, 19 cases of RSV-B were detected, 14 among patients and 5 among health care workers (HCWs). Additionally, 2 HCWs tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus type A and 1 tested positive for influenza B among the 27 symptomatic HCWs evaluated. No specific antiviral therapy was given and all cases recovered without progression to lower respiratory tract infection. After no new cases were identified for 2 weeks, the outbreak was declared over. CONCLUSIONS: High vigilance for respiratory viruses on high-risk inpatient units is required for detection and prevention of potential outbreaks. Multiple respiratory viruses with outbreak potential were identified among HCWs. HCWs with respiratory virus symptoms should not provide direct patient care. Absence of lower respiratory tract infection suggests lower virulence of RSV-B, compared with respiratory syncytial virus type A, among immunocompromised adults.
BACKGROUND: An increase in respiratory syncytial virus type B (RSV-B) infections was detected on an adult hematology/oncology and stem cell transplant unit during March 2015. This prompted an outbreak investigation. METHODS: Nosocomial cases were defined as RSV-B-positive patients who developed respiratory virus symptoms ≥ 7 days after admission to the unit or were readmitted with symptoms ≤ 7 days since last discharge from the unit. Strict outbreak control measures were implemented to stop the outbreak. RESULTS: During the outbreak, 19 cases of RSV-B were detected, 14 among patients and 5 among health care workers (HCWs). Additionally, 2 HCWs tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus type A and 1 tested positive for influenza B among the 27 symptomatic HCWs evaluated. No specific antiviral therapy was given and all cases recovered without progression to lower respiratory tract infection. After no new cases were identified for 2 weeks, the outbreak was declared over. CONCLUSIONS: High vigilance for respiratory viruses on high-risk inpatient units is required for detection and prevention of potential outbreaks. Multiple respiratory viruses with outbreak potential were identified among HCWs. HCWs with respiratory virus symptoms should not provide direct patient care. Absence of lower respiratory tract infection suggests lower virulence of RSV-B, compared with respiratory syncytial virus type A, among immunocompromised adults.
Authors: Claas Baier; Sibylle Haid; Thomas Pietschmann; Franz-Christoph Bange; Andreas Beilken; Astrid Behnert; Martin Wetzke; Richard J P Brown; Corinna Schmitt; Ella Ebadi; Gesine Hansen; Thomas F Schulz Journal: Antimicrob Resist Infect Control Date: 2018-02-13 Impact factor: 4.887
Authors: Henry Schmidt; Arighno Das; Hannah Nam; Amy Yang; Michael G Ison Journal: Influenza Other Respir Viruses Date: 2019-04-11 Impact factor: 4.380