Abstract
To test the hypothesis that a considerable number of preterm infants acquire respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) within the hospital during the postnatal stay, a prospective epidemiologic survey was performed. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken twice weekly for a period of 8 weeks from preterm infants, medical/nursing staff, and parents during the peak of RSV season 2007/2008 and tested for RSV by polymerase chain reaction. Of 1002 samples, only 4 tested positive (2 from a patient, 2 from staff). Sequence analyses of the G protein demonstrated that nosocomial transmission did not occur between these individuals.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Cluster Analysis
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Cross Infection / epidemiology*
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Cross Infection / transmission*
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Cross Infection / virology
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DNA, Viral / chemistry
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DNA, Viral / genetics
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DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
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Female
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Genotype
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Health Personnel
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Humans
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Infant
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Infant, Newborn
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Intensive Care, Neonatal
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Male
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Nasopharynx / virology
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Parents
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Prospective Studies
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / epidemiology*
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / transmission*
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / virology
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / isolation & purification*
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Sequence Analysis, DNA
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Viral Fusion Proteins / genetics
Substances
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DNA, Viral
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G glycoprotein, Respiratory syncytial virus
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Viral Fusion Proteins