Infections nosocomiales virales dans un service de pédiatrie : l'exemple des gastroentérites à rotavirus et des bronchiolites à VRS

Benefit Versus Risk Assessment of Rotavirus Vaccination in France: A Simulation and Modeling Analysis

Introduction

Two vaccines against rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) in young children, Rotarix and RotaTeq, have been available in Europe since 2006. Vaccination against rotaviruses significantly reduces the burden of RVGE, but it is also associated with a very small increased risk of intussusception. In a benefit–risk analysis, the prevented RVGE burden is weighed against the possible excess of intussusception.

Purpose

The aim was to compare the estimated benefits and risks of Rotarix vaccination in France.

Methods

We estimated the benefits (vaccine-preventable RVGE hospitalizations and deaths) and risks (vaccine-caused intussusception hospitalizations and deaths) following two doses of Rotarix in a birth cohort of 791,183 followed for 3–5 years in France. We used data from peer-reviewed clinical and epidemiological studies or publications, and government statistics.

Results

Within the total number of French children below 5 years of age, we estimate vaccination could prevent a median 11,132 [95% credible interval (CI) 7842–14,408] RVGE hospitalizations and 7.43 (95% CI 3.27–14.68) RVGE deaths. At the same time, vaccination could cause an average of 6.86 (95% CI 2.25–38.37) intussusception hospitalizations and 0.0099 (95% CI 0.0024–0.060) intussusception deaths in the entire French birth cohort of infants below 1 year of age. Therefore, for every intussusception hospitalization and every intussusception death caused by vaccination, 1624 (95% CI 240–5243) RVGE hospitalizations and 743 (95% CI 93–3723) RVGE deaths are prevented, respectively, by vaccination.

Conclusions

The vaccine-prevented RVGE hospitalizations and deaths (benefit) greatly outweigh the excess potentially vaccination-related cases of intussusception (risk), indicating a favorable benefit–risk balance for Rotarix in France.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s40259-018-0273-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Infecciones nosocomiales en pediatría

Numerosas son las particularidades de la población pediátrica que deben intervenir, en nuestra opinión, en el control de las infecciones nosocomiales. Los riesgos y los agentes patógenos responsables son diferentes en función del tipo de población (prematuros, recién nacidos, otros). Además, esta población, que comparte los mismos factores de riesgo de infecciones nosocomiales que la población adulta (hospitalización en reanimación, cateterismos, etc.), se distingue no sólo por la inmadurez del sistema inmunitario de los recién nacidos, sino también por la multiplicidad de los participantes, desde los sanitarios hasta los padres, pasando por los educadores y los acompañantes (visitantes de todo tipo, etc.) necesarios para el desarrollo conductual y emocional del niño. Además, es importante subrayar el aumento del riesgo ligado a los contactos frecuentes, cercanos e íntimos que están parcial e incluso totalmente ausentes en el ámbito hospitalario «adulto». Así como existen riesgos de transmisión cruzada a través del principal vector constituido por los sanitarios, el control del riesgo no puede excluir a los educadores, a los acompañantes, a los padres y a los mismos niños. Si el riesgo en la esfera adulta está limitado a las actividades médicas, en la esfera pediátrica se comparte con las demás actividades (juegos, enseñanza, etc.), que con frecuencia son comunes. Todos estos riesgos son todavía mayores debido a la prevalencia de los agentes patógenos como los virus (respiratorios y digestivos), la frecuencia de las antibioticoterapias y la dificultad de los diagnósticos etiológicos, dada la inespecificidad de los signos clínicos y la actitud diagnóstica poco o nada invasiva. De esta manera, el control del riesgo infeccioso nosocomial se resume en los siguientes elementos: un reservorio importante y difícilmente identificable, numerosos vectores potenciales, una población expuesta de manera variable al riesgo, todo ello sin olvidar las necesidades emocionales de los niños y los comportamientos «culturales».

Burden of community-acquired and nosocomial rotavirus gastroenteritis in the pediatric population of Western Europe: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Rotavirus affects 95% of children worldwide by age 5 years and is the leading cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea. The objective of this review was to estimate the burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) in the Western European pediatric population.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search (1999-2010) was conducted in PubMed and other sources (CDC; WHO, others). Data on the epidemiology and burden of RVGE among children < 5 years-old in Western Europe --including hospital-acquired disease--were extracted.

RESULTS

76 studies from 16 countries were identified. The mean percentage of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases caused by rotavirus ranged from 25.3%-63.5% in children < 5 years of age, peaking during winter. Incidence rates of RVGE ranged from 1.33-4.96 cases/100 person- years. Hospitalization rates for RVGE ranged from 7% to 81% among infected children, depending on the country. Nosocomial RVGE accounted for 47%-69% of all hospital-acquired AGE and prolonged hospital stays by 4-12 days. Each year, RVGE incurred $0.54- $53.6 million in direct medical costs and $1.7-$22.4 million in indirect costs in the 16 countries studied. Full serotyping data was available for 8 countries. G1P[8], G2P[4], G9P[8], and G3P[8] were the most prevalent serotypes (cumulative frequency: 57.2%- 98.7%). Serotype distribution in nosocomial RVGE was similar.

CONCLUSIONS

This review confirms that RVGE is a common disease associated with significant morbidity and costs across Western Europe. A vaccine protecting against multiple serotypes may decrease the epidemiological and cost burden of RVGE in Western Europe.

Prospective surveillance of nosocomial viral infections during and after hospitalization at a university children's hospital

BACKGROUND

In Switzerland 5% to 10% of hospitalized adults acquire nosocomial infections (NI) but few data are available in children. Most former studies on NI in hospitalized children analyzed specific units or pathogens and neglected the postdischarge period. We aimed to prospectively assess viral NI occurring during and shortly after hospitalization in children.

METHODS

Prospective surveillance was performed during a 24-month period. Electronic standardized questionnaires were completed for each patient by physicians during hospital stay. On a ward-based rotational schedule, follow-up information was obtained from a subset of patients 1 week after hospital discharge. NI were defined using CDC recommendations.

RESULTS

Overall, 6250 patients (34,608 patient hospitalization days, PHD) were enrolled and 1272 patients were recruited for postdischarge surveillance. Mean hospitalization duration was 5 days. Fifty-two (0.8%) patients acquired 54 viral NI during hospitalization and 12 patients (1.1%) acquired 12 viral NI after hospital discharge (NI incidence: 1.9 per 1000 PHD including follow-up period). NI rate in infants was higher compared with children >12 months old (2.0% vs. 0.8%; P 0.05) and the infant ward also had the highest incidence (4.0 NI per 1000 PHD). Most NI were gastrointestinal tract infections with 55% caused by rotavirus infection. NI rates were highest between November and March.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant part of NI will only be detected if surveillance includes the immediate postdischarge period. Given the strong seasonality of pediatric NI, intensifying hygiene measurements particularly on infant wards and prior to the cold season would be beneficial in reducing NI incidence.

Impact of community-acquired paediatric rotavirus gastroenteritis on family life: data from the REVEAL study

BACKGROUND

Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and the most frequent cause of severe diarrhoea in children aged less than 5 years. Although the epidemiology of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) is well documented, there are few data on the impact of RVGE on the families of affected children.

METHODS

Data associated with the burden of RVGE, including number of working days lost, levels of parental stress, the need for alternative childcare arrangements and additional nappies used, were extracted from questionnaires completed by parents of children participating in a prospective, multicentre, observational study (Rotavirus gastroenteritis Epidemiology and Viral types in Europe Accounting for Losses in public health and society, REVEAL), conducted during 2004-2005 in selected areas of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom to estimate the incidence of RVGE in children aged less than 5 years seeking medical care as a result of AGE.

RESULTS

1102 children with RVGE were included in the present analysis. The proportion of RVGE cases that required at least one parent or other person to be absent from work was 39%-91% in the hospital setting, 44%-64% in the emergency department, and 20%-64% in primary care. Self-reported levels of parental stress were generally high (mean stress levels, > or = 5 on a 10-point visual analogue scale). Additional childcare arrangements were required in up to 21% of RVGE episodes. The mean number of nappies used per day during RVGE episodes was approximately double that used when the child was not ill.

CONCLUSIONS

Paediatric RVGE cases cause disruption to families and parental stress. The burden of RVGE on children and their families could be substantially reduced by routine rotavirus vaccination of infants.

Is it cost-effective to introduce rotavirus vaccination in the Dutch national immunization program?

This study assessed whether the inclusion of two rotavirus (RV) vaccines in the Dutch national immunization programme is cost-effective. Costs and outcomes in unvaccinated and vaccinated populations are compared for a time period of 20 years. In the baseline, assuming competitive market forces in relation to vaccine costs, Rotarix is more cost-effective than RotaTeq, resulting in a cost-utility ratio (CUR) of euro 53,000 per DALY (third payer perspective) and euro 49,000 per DALY (societal perspective), but both considered as being not cost-effective. Vaccine-related costs, annual epidemic-size, and indirect protection are the major factors that determine cost-effectiveness of RV vaccination.

Nosocomial rotavirus gastroenteritis in Spain: a multicenter prospective study

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of nosocomial rotavirus gastroenteritis among children <2 years of age.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective active surveillance for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in the pediatric wards of 3 representative hospitals in Valencia (Spain) from October 2006 to March 2007, among children between 1 and 23 months of age with acute diarrhea. Children were followed up for 3 days after discharge. We obtained clinical and demographic information from participants and tested their stool specimens for rotavirus.

RESULTS

A total of 1576 children were hospitalized at the 3 hospitals and 1300 (82.5%) were followed up as the study cohort. In 69 children, AGE started 48 hours after admission and were considered nosocomial infections. In 35 of the 59 cases where stool samples were obtained, rotavirus (RV) was present (59%), and in 12 of them symptoms started after discharge. The accumulated incidence of nosocomial rotavirus disease during the study period was 2.8 cases per 100 inpatients (95% CI: 1.9-3.8), and the incidence rate was 4.8 cases per 1000 hospital days (95% CI: 3.2-6.5). The most commonly found genotype in nosocomial infection was G9P[8], in 23 cases (66%), followed by G1P[8] in 4 cases (11%). The total economic cost was 883 euro per case.

CONCLUSION

Active surveillance demonstrated that the burden of nosocomial rotavirus disease is substantial, and G9P [8] was the genotype found most frequently. Following up children after discharge from hospital allowed the discovery of cases of nosocomial RVAGE which are missed in most other studies.

[Epidemiologic characteristics and prevention of viral nosocomial infections]

OBJECTIVES

To describe epidemiological features of viral nosocomial infections (VNI) and their prevention principles.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Many factors lead to underestimate VNI: difficulty to distinguish between community-acquired and nosocomial infections for seasonal viral diseases, incubation time leading to symptoms after patient discharge, difficulty for diagnosis. Population at high risks of VNI are the children, the elderly and the immunocompromized patients. The risk of severe diseases is high in this last population. The main reservoir of virus is infected symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals. Asymptomatic carriers, especially health care workers, are a major source of transmission. Main routes of transmission are the fecal-oral route, the respiratory route, cutaneous or mucous contact and blood and body fluids exposure. A review of the main virus involved in VNI is presented.

PREVENTION

Preventive measures, such as strict adherence to standard precautions and, in some instances, to isolation procedures, are critical to control VNI. In a major outbreak situation, it may be necessary to consider cohort isolation. Specific control measures rely on immunization, antiviral drug prophylaxis (varicella-zooster, herpes, influenza, exposure to blood) and clinical and biological screening of organ, blood, tissue and cell donors.

[Evolution of the number of rotavirus and respiratory syncytial virus infections in children hospitalised in a French university hospital between 1998 and 2005]

AIM

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Rotavirus infections represent up to 30% of cross infections in pediatric units. As they are a major public health problem, we studied their evolution and distribution at the Dijon University Hospital.

POPULATION AND METHODS

This exhaustive retrospective study included children under 15 with a new Rotavirus or RSV infection who were hospitalised at the Dijon University Hospital between 1998 and 2005. The general trend was determined by using moving averages, and the Spearman correlation coefficient r(s) was calculated.

RESULTS

From 1998 to 2005, 1886 new RSV (n=981) or Rotavirus (n=905) infections were identified in hospitalised children. The number of the infections decreased significantly, both for RSV (r(s)=-0.71 ; p<0.0001) and for Rotavirus (r(s)=-0.77 ; p<0.0001). Almost half of Rotavirus infections were nosocomial (46.3%) vs 5.3% of RSV infections, p<0.0001. There was no significant difference in the proportion of RSV nosocomial infections between the epidemic and non-epidemic period (4.9% of nosocomial infections vs 7.1% respectively, p=0.25). Rotavirus nosocomial infections were less frequent in epidemic period (41.6%) than in non-epidemic period (54.6%); p=0.0002.

CONCLUSION

RSV and Rotavirus infections significantly decreased between 1998 and 2005. Proportion of RSV or Rotavirus infections didn't increase in epidemic period, which could be explained both by an increased attention from healthcare professionals and by the effectiveness of hygiene measures taken.

[Methodological aspects of economic evaluation in pediatrics: illustration by RSV infection prophylaxis in the French setting]

The methodological approach of the economic evaluation of drugs in pediatrics is illustrated by the case study of the prophylaxis for RSV infections using palivizumab in the French setting. The indications for the reimbursement of this treatment have been restricted to premature children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or hemodynamically significant congenital-heart disease. A model was developed primarily using the results of the pivotal clinical studies on palivizumab. Unit costs were estimated (2006 values) in both societal and payer's perspectives. An assumption was made and discussed on the benefits of the prophylaxis on mortality. Based on the different data available and the estimated costs and benefits, different cost-effectiveness ratios (CERs) were estimated from both the society's and payer's points of view. A discount rate of 3% was applied to benefit. The CER obtained in the most unfavorable case is considered acceptable for the innovative-medical technologies in the French-healthcare system. Some of the parameters used by the model will be illustrated from the EPIPAGE study data from 2 of the 9 regions involved in this study: this evaluation suggests that the children not having an RSV infection during their 1st year of life will continue to require significantly fewer hospitalizations in the following years. These additional evaluations also suggest that the model overestimates the costs of the treatment with regard to the true medical situation. This could be explained by the model not using the children's exact weight or the real number of injections because the children had been discharged from the maternity ward based on their date of birth and the epidemic period. In spite of these factors, RSV prophylaxis using palivizumab in premature children with BPD or hemodynamically significant congenital-heart disease can be considered cost-effective in France.

Prospective study of the burden of acute gastroenteritis and rotavirus gastroenteritis in children less than 5 years of age, in Padova, Italy

BACKGROUND

Data on the burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Europe are needed to help understand the potential impact of introducing new rotavirus vaccines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

As part of prospective observational study (Rotavirus gastroenteritis Epidemiology and Viral types in Europe Accounting for Losses in Public Health and Society Study, REVEAL) conducted in 2004--2005 in seven European countries, we studied, the characteristics of acute gastroenteritis and rotavirus gastroenteritis in children less than 5 years in primary care, emergency room and hospital settings (Padova, Italy).

RESULTS

A total of 757 children with acute gastroenteritis were included and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) results were available for 725 cases. The overall estimated annual incidence for rotavirus gastroenteritis was 4.7%. Overall, rotavirus gastroenteritis was estimated to account for 43.6% of acute gastroenteritis cases. Among children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) aged 6-23 months, 61.2% were rotavirus positive. Rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) was responsible for 68.8% of hospitalizations, 61% of emergency consultations, and 33% of primary care consultations. The most prevalent serotype was G9 (84.4%) followed by G1 (11.8%). The relative risk for rotavirus gastroenteritis of being referred to hospital after an initial consultation in primary care was 3.37 (95% CI: 1.77-6.43) and 3.38 (95% CI: 2.28-5.01) for emergency room referral. Children with rotavirus gastroenteritis generally had more severe disease than children with rotavirus-negative gastroenteritis.

CONCLUSION

Rotavirus accounts for a significant proportion of acute gastroenteritis cases in children less than 5 years in Italy, many of whom require frequent primary care consultations, or care in emergency room or hospital settings.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of vaccination against rotavirus with RIX4414 in France

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that annually 300 000 cases of rotavirus-induced gastroenteritis (RVGE) occur in children aged up to 5 years in France. A two-dose vaccine against rotavirus infection (RIX4414; Rotarix, GlaxoSmithKline), has been shown to be highly effective against severe RVGE.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the cost effectiveness of general vaccination against rotavirus using RIX4414 in France.

METHODS

A Markov model simulated RVGE events and the associated outcomes and costs relating to general vaccination of infants against rotavirus infection using RIX4414 (Rotarix) in a birth cohort of children aged up to 5 years in France with a combined adjustment for age distribution with the seasonality of the infection. Costs and outcomes were estimated from a limited societal perspective, including direct medical costs paid out of pocket or by third-party payers, as well as the proportion of direct medical costs reimbursed by the health authorities. Indirect costs were not included in the base-case analysis. The primary outcome measure was the incremental cost per QALY.

RESULTS

Vaccination with RIX4414 incurred an incremental cost of 44 583 Euro per QALY at a public price of 57 Euro per vaccine dose. Univariate sensitivity analyses showed that the parameters with the largest influence on the results were the transition probabilities of severe diarrhoea, seeking medical advice and emergency visits, utility scores of diarrhoea (mild) in children and infants, and the discount rate for benefits. Probabilistic multivariate sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. The acceptability curve indicated that 94% of the results were under an informal threshold of 50 000 Euro per QALY. Comparing our results with those of a recently published study using pooled data for two rotavirus vaccine products in France, the main differences are explained by differences in model structure and in data input values. They include a different age distribution of the infection, shorter duration of the at-risk period (3 years instead of 5 years), different vaccine efficacy, different unit cost data, different disease duration, and different disutility values for the health states in the model. There is a need for agreed standards to improve comparability of results from different studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that a generalized vaccination strategy with RIX4414 would be cost effective in France from a limited societal perspective, depending on the baseline assumptions for disease progression and on utility scores selected.

Burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis and potential benefits of a pentavalent rotavirus vaccination in Belgium

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS

A decision analytic model was built to assess the paediatric rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) burden and potential benefits associated with the introduction of RotaTeq (pentavalent rotavirus vaccine) in Belgium.

RESULTS

In the absence of a rotavirus (RV) immunisation programme, paediatric RVGE was estimated to account for about 5,860 hospitalisations, 1,720 cases of nosocomial infections, 9,410 cases treated by general practitioners/paediatricians (GP/P) and 10,790 cases not seeking medical care for a birth cohort followed up to 5 years of age. Paediatric RVGE was estimated to cost about euro9.0 million from the Belgian healthcare provider perspective and euro15.3 million to society. Given a 90% RV vaccination coverage rate, the pentavalent RV vaccine would have a high impact on RV burden by preventing more than 4,850 hospitalisations, 995 cases of nosocomial infections, 7,145 cases treated by GP/P and 8,190 cases not seeking medical care, and reduce RVGE costs by euro7.1 million from the Belgian healthcare provider perspective and euro12.0 million to society.

[Frequency and clinical characteristics of rotavirus acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years of age treated in community practice in France]

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this study was to determine the proportion of cases of gastro-enteritis due to rotavirus in children under 5 years of age consulting community physicians. A secondary objective was to compare the clinical characteristics of children with and without rotavirus acute gastro-enteritis (RV AGE).

METHODS

Multicentre, prospective, observational study conducted between December 2005 and May 2006. Each practitioner included 10 consecutive patients presenting with acute gastro-enteritis (AGE).

RESULTS

601 community practitioners, chiefly paediatricians (74.7%), included 5,062 children, 4,383 (86.6%) of whom were evaluable for analysis. The children's median age was 14 months. A rapid detection test (VIKIA((R)) Rota-Adeno - Laboratoires Biomérieux) was performed in 4,178 (95.3%) children and was rotavirus-positive in 43.7% of cases. More than 85% of children presenting with RV AGE were more than 6 months old. The difference between the severity scores of children in whom a rotavirus was detected and those in whom it was not detected was statistically significant (P<0.0001). Rotavirus AGE was significantly different (P<0.0001) from rotavirus-negative AGE in respect of vomiting (78.3% vs 51.0%), fever (76.0 vs 49.4%), weight loss (69.0 vs 43.2%), presence of signs of dehydratation (15.6 vs 3.7%) and behavioural disorders (44.4 vs 36.2%). Hospitalisation was proposed in 5.1% of cases (9.1 vs 1.8%; P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

In this population of children under 5 years of age treated on an outpatient basis, the rapid detection test revealed the presence of rotavirus in 43.7% of cases. RV AGE appears to be significantly more severe and more often hospitalised.

Burden of paediatric rotavirus gastroenteritis and potential benefits of a universal rotavirus vaccination programme with RotaTeq in France

This study aimed at estimating the paediatric RotaVirus GastroEnteritis (RVGE) burden in children aged up to 5 years, and at evaluating health and economic benefits of a universal infant vaccination with a pentavalent rotavirus vaccine, in France. A decision analytic model was constructed considering a cohort of French children from birth to 5 years old. In the absence of a universal rotavirus immunisation programme, the model predicts that of every new French birth cohort, 336,738 children would present a RVGE case, which would result in 33,386 hospitalisations, 14 deaths and more than 279,000 work days lost for the parents. The management of these RVGE cases would cost 63 million euro to the National Healthcare Payer and would reach up to 117 million euro when all indirect costs were included. The introduction of a universal rotavirus vaccination would avoid 249,400 RVGE cases and consequently about 25,700 hospitalisations, 6000 nosocomial infections, 81,200 emergency visits, 39,900 general practitioner or paediatrician consultations, 11 deaths and 206,700 parental work days lost. RVGE total costs would be reduced by 47 million euro for the National Healthcare Payer and by 88 million euro from the Societal perspective. Therefore, a routine universal rotavirus vaccination programme represents an opportunity to significantly reduce the high paediatric RVGE burden in France.

Rotavirus vaccines: considerations for successful implementation in Europe

A group of European experts in infectious diseases and vaccinology has met on several occasions to assess the rationale for universal vaccination against rotavirus infection of infants in Europe. On the basis of the available data, we concluded that vaccination was the best approach to prevent severe rotavirus gastroenteritis, and that European countries should consider implementing rotavirus vaccination in their routine immunisation programmes. The main barrier to the implementation of rotavirus vaccination in Europe is a general lack of awareness of stakeholders, policymakers, health-care professionals, and parents about rotavirus disease and the advantages of vaccination. Further studies on the cost of the disease and the benefit of vaccination, together with raising awareness are necessary steps to ensure successful implementation of rotavirus vaccination in Europe.

[Nosocomial rotavirus infections in a pediatric unit: surveillance during four successive winters]

The incidence of rotavirus and RSV outbreaks during winter seasons leads to overcrowding of pediatric units in the Paris area, and increases the risk of viral nosocomial infections in hospitalized young infants.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to measure the incidence of rotavirus nosocomial infections in children less than 2 years of age during 4 consecutive winters.

METHODS

All infants admitted in the pediatric unit during the winter were prospectively screened for rotavirus with a stools exam. All children with negative stools examination on admission but developing diarrhea after 2 days of hospitalization underwent a new screening test for rotavirus in stools.

RESULTS

During the 4 consecutive winters, the global incidence of nosocomial rotavirus infection was 13.9% (12.7 to 15.9%). Asymptomatic carriage of rotavirus was detected in 3% of admitted infants. The risk of nosocomial rotavirus infection increases with young age and the length of hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of nosocomial rotavirus infections was high in this unit. It is related to overcrowding due to coincidence of diarrhea and bronchiolitis outbreaks in the Paris area and to the young age of hospitalized patients.

Incidencia y costes de la hospitalización por bronquiolitis y de las infecciones por virus respiratorio sincitial en la Comunidad Valenciana. Años 2001 y 2002

OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence and costs of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections the Autonomous Community of Valencia, Spain.

METHODS

The minimum data set (MDS) of the Autonomous Community of Valencia was analyzed. Hospital discharges with the codes for bronchiolitis (with or without etiologic determination) and RSV infections occurring in 2001 and 2002 in children less than 2 years old were included. Second cases of bronchiolitis and RSV infections of possible nosocomial origin occurring during prolonged hospitalization were excluded. The average cost of hospitalization in a pediatric ward was estimated at euro 310.30 per day. To calculate the incidence, we assumed that 95 % of the hospitals reported to the MDS; the population used was that of the National Census, 2001.

RESULTS

A total of 3,705 hospitalizations were obtained, of which 3,507 were coded as bronchiolitis and 42.2 % of these were RSV-positive. Virological assessment varied greatly among hospitals. Hospitalizations were most frequent between October and April, with no differences between the two years. The incidence of bronchiolitis hospitalization was 40.2 cases/1000 children < 1 year/year, with an average annual cost of 3,618 thousand Euros.

CONCLUSIONS

The cost of bronchiolitis hospitalizations is high. Microbiological investigation is low in some hospitals, leading the economic impact of RSV on society to be underestimated.

Detection and molecular characterization of group A rotavirus from hospitalized children in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2004

Rotavirus is a major cause of infantile acute diarrhea, causing about 440,000 deaths per year, mainly in developing countries. The World Health Organization has been recommending the assessment of rotavirus burden and strain characterization as part of the strategies of immunization programs against this pathogen. In this context, a prospective study was made on a sample of 134 children with acute diarrhea and severe dehydration admitted to venous fluid therapy in two state hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from February to September 2004. Rotavirus where detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and by an enzyme-linked immunoassay to rotavirus and adenovirus (EIARA) in 48% of the children. Positive samples for group A rotavirus (n = 65) were analyzed by reverse transcription/heminested multiplex polymerase chain reaction to determine the frequency of G and [P] genotypes and, from these, 64 samples could be typed. The most frequent G genotype was G1 (58%) followed by G9 (40%). One mixed infection (G1/G9) was detected. The only [P] genotype identified was [8]. In order to estimate the rotavirus infection frequency in children who acquired diarrhea as hospital infection in those hospitals, we studied 24 patients, detecting the pathogen in 41% of them. This data suggest that genotype G9 is an important genotype in Rio de Janeiro, with implications to the future strategies of vaccination against rotavirus, reinforcing the need of continuous monitoring of circulating strains of the pathogen, in a surveillance context.

Nosocomial rotavirus infection in European countries: a review of the epidemiology, severity and economic burden of hospital-acquired rotavirus disease

The data currently available on the epidemiology, severity and economic burden of nosocomial rotavirus (RV) infections in children younger than 5 years of age in the major European countries are reviewed. In most studies, RV was found to be the major etiologic agent of pediatric nosocomial diarrhea (31-87%), although the number of diarrhea cases associated with other virus infections (eg, noroviruses, astroviruses, adenoviruses) is increasing quickly and almost equals that caused by RVs. Nosocomial RV (NRV) infections are mainly associated with infants 0-5 months of age, whereas community-acquired RV disease is more prevalent in children 6-23 months of age. NRV infections are seasonal in most countries, occurring in winter; this coincides with the winter seasonal peak of other childhood virus infections (eg, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza viruses), thus placing a heavy burden on health infrastructures. A significant proportion (20-40%) of infections are asymptomatic, which contributes to the spread of the virus and might reduce the efficiency of prevention measures given as they are implemented too late. The absence of effective surveillance and of reporting of NRV infections in any of the 6 countries studied (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom) results in severe underreporting of NRV cases in hospital databases and therefore in limited awareness of the importance of NRV disease at country level. The burden reported in the medical literature is potentially significant and includes temporary reduction in the quality of children's lives, increased costs associated with the additional consumption of medical resources (increased length of hospital stay) and constraints on parents'/hospital staff's professional lives. The limited robustness and comparability of studies, together with an evolving baseline caused by national changes in health care systems, do not presently allow a complete and accurate overview of NRV disease at country level to be obtained. RV is highly contagious, and the efficiency of existing prevention measures (such as handwashing, isolation and cohorting) is variable, but low at the global level because of the existence of numerous barriers to implementation (eg, lack of staff, high staff turnover, inadequate hospital infrastructure). Prevention of RV infection by mass vaccination could have a positive impact on the incidence of NRV by reducing the number of children hospitalized for gastroenteritis, therefore reducing the number of hospital cross-infections and associated costs.

Outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis: whatʼs new in 2004?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Descriptions of outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis have become a prominent feature in scientific journals and other media such as the electronic reporting service 'promed'. A review of outbreak reports was done to further our understanding of the burden of disease, common and rare modes of transmission, complications, and possibilities for control and prevention.

RECENT FINDINGS

Viral gastroenteritis outbreaks occur worldwide. In 2004, besides outbreak reports and surveys, there was considerable attention paid to food and waterborne outbreaks and the difficulties in proving these modes of transmission. Costs of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks are high. Complications and unusual manifestations of viral gastroenteritis, such as convulsions, transplant rejection, and chronic infection, may have been underreported.

SUMMARY

Viral gastroenteritis is a very common illness in health care settings that can cause significant disruption. Clinicians working in these settings should be familiar with the epidemiology and the possible modes of transmission of enteric viruses to be able to translate them into strategies for prevention or intervention. Research is needed to support these strategies.