Brotes de infección por norovirus en centros geriátricos: importancia de una detección precoz / Norovirus outbreaks in geriatric centers: importance of an early detection

RESUMEN

Fundamento y objetivos: Los brotes de gastroenteritis aguda (GEA) por norovirus (NV) son frecuentes en geriátricos. Los trastornos gastrointestinales previos y el grado de dependencia de los residentes dificultan la detección y la implementación de medidas de control. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue conocer la incidencia de los brotes por NV en geriátricos, las vías de transmisión y los genotipos causales. Results: Se notificaron 27 brotes por NV; 5 (18,5%) en geriátricos, que afectaron a 95 personas, con una letalidad del 1,05%. El retraso en la notificación dificultó la investigación en uno de los brotes. La transmisión fue interpersonal en 4 brotes, cuya duración y tasas de ataque entre los residentes fueron mayores que en el brote de exposición común. El genotipo predominante fue el GII.4. Percentage of time within the SpO2 target range increased during automated FiO2 control (76.3% ± 9.2% vs 69.1% ± 8.2% for manual; P < .01). Prolonged episodes with SpO2 <88% of >60 seconds duration (median, 115 episodes [range, 67-240] vs 54 episodes [range, 7-184]; P < .01) and of >180 seconds duration (median, 13 episodes [range, 6-39] vs 2 episodes [range, 0-5]; P < .01) decreased significantly during the automated period. Percentage of time with SpO2 >96% decreased during automated control (6.6% ± 4.4% vs 10.4% ± 3.3%; P < .02). There was no significant difference in FiO2 exposure. The area (deviation × time) below and above the defined SctO2 threshold did not differ between the 2 periods (median, 59.7%*seconds [range, 17.2%-208.3%] for manual vs 49.0%*seconds [range, 4.3%-193.7%] for automated; P = .36). Conclusiones: Es necesario identificar los puntos críticos en los centros y establecer sistemas de alarma para prevenir y minimizar la extensión y la severidad de estos brotes (AU)

ABSTRACT

Background and objectives: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks of norovirus (NV) occur frequently in nursing homes. Gastrointestinal disorders and degree of dependence of residents complicate early detection and implementation of control measures. Our study's aim was to determine the incidence of NV in elderly care centers, transmission mechanisms and circulating genotypes.Patients and methods: An epidemiological study of NV outbreaks reported to the Public Health Agency of Barcelona 2010-2012 was performed. The attack rate, outbreak duration, symptomatology and identified NV genotypes were analyzed. Results: In total, 27 NV outbreaks were reported and 5 (18.5%) occurred in nursing homes (95 cases with lethality of 1.05%). The etiology of one of the five outbreaks could not be confirmed because of late notification. Four of the outbreaks were attributed to person-to-person transmission. The outbreak duration and attack rate among resident person-to-person transmission were significantly higher compared to common exposure transmission. Genotype GII.4 was predominant. Conclusions: The identification of critical points and the use of clinical alarm systems could prevent and minimize the spreading and severity of these outbreaks (AU)