Clinical Characteristics of Nosocomial Rotavirus Infection in Children in Taiwan

Background/Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and clinical characteristics of nosocomial rotavirus infection (NRI) among hospitalized children. Methods: We collected data of children in the Department of Pediatrics with positive stool rotavirus antigen tests. Cases of an admission diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis or a positive stool rotavirus antigen test within 3 days of admission, representing community-acquired infections, were excluded. Both VP4 and VP7 genotyping of the rotaviruses was done. Results: There were 98 patients who met the inclusion criteria during the 3-year period. The incidence density was 0.58 per 1000 patient-days in our series. Among these patients, 59 (60%) had underlying diseases. The intermediate intensive care unit had the highest incidence density (2.8 per 1000 patient-days). Overcrowding of the care unit, inappropriate hand hygiene, and inadequate isolation and cohorting predisposed to the high rate. Genotypes among 79 (80%) rotaviruses tested showed that 42% belonged to the novel genotype, G9P[8]. Conclusion: NRI may cause significant morbidity in hospitalized children, especially young infants and those with underlying diseases. Infection control with hospital surveillance, strict isolation and cohort care should be adopted to prevent the spread of rotavirus among special care units. [J Formos Med Assoc 2008;107(10):791-797]