%0 Journal Article
%T Norovirus infections in preterm infants: wide variety of clinical courses
%A Sven Armbrust
%A Axel Kramer
%A Dirk Olbertz
%A Kathrin Zimmermann
%A Christoph Fusch
%J BMC Research Notes
%D 2009
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1756-0500-2-96
%X The typical symptoms of norovirus infection are in part also seen in premature born infants but with a different pattern and a huge variety of clinical courses. Vomiting is not the main symptom of norovirus infection in premature infants but distended abdomen and other symptoms such as apnea, gastric remainders or sepsis like appearance. The course in premature born patients could be explained by an immunocompromised mice model. Extensive hygienic measures were necessary to control the outbreak without closing the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.Norovirus infection in premature infants shows an impressive pattern of a wide variety of clinical courses. Only the consequent use of different hygienic pattern can lead to elimination of norovirus.Norovirus, belonging to the family of Caliciviridae, is a highly contagious virus and has been found to be one of the most important causes of nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis in all ages in developing as well as in developed countries [1-3]. While most of the outbreaks are known to have a seasonal pattern, sporadic cases of disease throughout the year are described [4,5]. Although outbreaks can occur in a variety of settings, semiclosed communities like hospitals are favoured [6]. Norovirus are transmitted through common sources such as food and water, person-to-person contact or airborne via aerosolized vomit whereas an extremely small dose of virus patricles (3 ¨C 10) already can lead to infection [7-9]. Norovirus can be detected by ELISA as in this report, by RT-PCR or electron microscopy.A lot of reports and studies about norovirus and its outbreaks exist covering a wide range of different areas and age groups with the few, typical clinical symptoms. Atypical courses of the disease are described in immunocompromised patients and persons under severe stress [10,11].Cause of this outbreak was a mother of a hospitalised preterm baby. She suffered from typical clinical signs of norovirus infection including acute diarrheal illness
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/2/96