Adenovirus pseudo-outbreak in a large UK neonatal intensive care unit

Am J Infect Control. 2018 Dec;46(12):1411-1413. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.04.220. Epub 2018 May 21.

Abstract

An unusually high number of positive adenovirus stool antigen tests were observed in neonatal samples from a large tertiary referral unit over a 10-week period, prompting the declaration of an outbreak and escalation of infection control precautions. Subsequent testing of original samples by alternative methods revealed a series of false-positive results. This is the first adenovirus pseudo-outbreak to be reported in the United Kingdom and the first to involve the Proflow Rotavirus-Adenovirus Combi test.

Keywords: Adenovirus; NICU; Neonatal; Pseudo-outbreak; Rotavirus-adenovirus combi test; Stool antigen test.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviruses, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Diarrhea / diagnosis
  • Diarrhea / virology
  • False Positive Reactions*
  • Feces / virology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infection Control
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal*
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • United Kingdom