Hospital acquired rotavirus infection in adults. Who is at risk?

Abstract

An outbreak of rotavirus infection is described in which equal numbers of young female patients (30–60 years) and older individuals (>60 years) were at risk. Among the patients illness was confined to the older age group, but three young members of the staff also acquired infection. Severe diarrhoea requiring intravenous rehydration occurred in several individuals, and high antibody levels to rotavirus were demonstrated in affected patients. Screening procedures of patients and staff revealed campylobacter in three individuals. Our findings support our previous suggestion that rotavirus infection in older females in closed communities is not uncommon, and emphasises the need for bacteriological, and virological investigations to be performed in parallel.