scholarly journals Seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among Veterans Affairs healthcare system employees suggests higher risk of infection when exposed to SARS-CoV-2 outside the work environment

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek E. Dimcheff ◽  
Richard J. Schildhouse ◽  
Mark S. Hausman ◽  
Brenda M. Vincent ◽  
Erica Markovitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Direct Patient Care ◽  
Personal Contact ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
History Of

Abstract Objective: The seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG antibody was evaluated among employees of a Veterans Affairs healthcare system to assess potential risk factors for transmission and infection. Methods: All employees were invited to participate in a questionnaire and serological survey to detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 as part of a facility-wide quality improvement and infection prevention initiative regardless of clinical or nonclinical duties. The initiative was conducted from June 8 to July 8, 2020. Results: Of the 2,900 employees, 51% participated in the study, revealing a positive SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 4.9% (72 of 1,476; 95% CI, 3.8%–6.1%). There were no statistically significant differences in the presence of antibody based on gender, age, frontline worker status, job title, performance of aerosol-generating procedures, or exposure to known patients with coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) within the hospital. Employees who reported exposure to a known COVID-19 case outside work had a significantly higher seroprevalence at 14.8% (23 of 155) compared to those who did not 3.7% (48 of 1,296; OR, 4.53; 95% CI, 2.67–7.68; P < .0001). Notably, 29% of seropositive employees reported no history of symptoms for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among employees was not significantly different among those who provided direct patient care and those who did not, suggesting that facility-wide infection control measures were effective. Employees who reported direct personal contact with COVID-19–positive persons outside work were more likely to have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Employee exposure to SARS-CoV-2 outside work may introduce infection into hospitals.

scholarly journals Group A Streptococcal Endometritis: Report of an Outbreak and Review of the Literature

1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 276-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziad A Memish ◽  
Denise Gravel-Tropper ◽  
Catherine Oxley ◽  
Baldwin Toye ◽  
Gary E Garber
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Restriction Endonuclease Analysis ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Direct Patient Care ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
History Of ◽  
Group A

Two cases of group A streptococcus (gas) postpartum endometritis were diagnosed within 24 h following uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Investigation by the infection control service identified all 10 obstetric personnel who performed any invasive procedure on both cases. These personnel were questioned about a recent history of sore throat, skin lesions, vaginal or rectal symptoms. Throat and rectal cultures were obtained forgasfrom all 10 personnel. A carrier was identified among the personnel screened. This nurse was removed from direct patient care and treated with a two-week course of oral clindamycin and rifampin with documentation of carrier eradication ofgasat the end of therapy, 30 days, 60 days and six months post-treatment. All three isolated strains were identical by restriction endonuclease analysis and by M and T typing. Rapid implementation of infection control measures were successful in arresting this outbreak, with no further cases ofgasoccurring in the subsequent year.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Among Health Care Personnel at a Health Care System in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110110
Author(s):  
Salma Abbas ◽  
Aun Raza ◽  
Ayesha Iftikhar ◽  
Aamir Khan ◽  
Shahzaib Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Care Personnel ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
History Of ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Health care personnel (HCP) are at high risk for coronavirus disease-2019 acquisition. Serum antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) indicate past infection. Our institution offered SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing to HCP. We surveyed HCP with positive test results to explore past exposure to SARS-CoV-2, details of symptoms during the preceding 6 months, and a history of SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction testing. A total of 2162 HCP underwent antibody testing. Eight hundred fifty-seven (39.6%) employees tested positive and, of these, 820 (95.7%) participated in the survey. When adjusted for age, males had higher odds of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies compared with females (OR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.37-2.05; P = .00) and clinical staff had higher odds of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity compared with nonclinical staff (OR = 1.273; 95% CI = 1.06-1.53; P = .01). Implementation of effective infection control measures is essential to protect HCP from coronavirus disease-2019.

Hospital Experience with Varicella-Zoster Virus

1986 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 312-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Krasinski ◽  
Robert S. Holzman ◽  
Rita LaCouture ◽  
Alfred Florman
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Serologic Testing ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
History Of

AbstractVaricella-zoster virus (VZV), one of the most common highly communicable agents of disease, stimulates aggressive infection control measures. In a 1-year period, at one hospital, at least 93 inpatients (82 adult patients, 11 pediatric patients) and 2 hospital staff with active varicella-zoster infections served as potential sources of nosocomial infection. Six incidents of exposure to the virus that occurred without the protection of standard infection control precautions were investigated by the infection control surveillance team. One hundred fifty-six patients and 353 hospital staff were exposed. Fifty-one patients had no history of varicella-zoster infection, but only five were susceptible by serologic testing. One hundred one staff members had no history of varicella-zoster, but only 11 were susceptible by serologic testing. These exposures resulted in three secondary varicella-zoster infections, six courses of varicella-zoster immune globulin prophylaxis and furlough of 13 staff members. Epidemiologic investigation consumed approximately 356 hours of staff time, and management of exposed persons cost approximately $41,500. Prospective knowledge of the immune status of health care workers would vastly decrease the time and effort required to control hospital VZV exposures.

scholarly journals Healthcare Workers Infection Rate in the Era of Coronavirus Disease 2019 - in Tertiary Teaching Hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (A) ◽  
pp. 651-658
Author(s):  
Mona Mohiedden ◽  
Aml M. Said ◽  
Ahmed M. Ali ◽  
Mohammed M. Abdel Razik ◽  
Maha Ali Gad
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Tertiary Teaching ◽  
Potential Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline defense against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. AIM: The study aimed to describe the characteristics and appraise potential risk factors of COVID-19 transmission among HCWs who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in one of Cairo University Hospitals. METHOD: Cross-sectional descriptive analysis of confirmed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive versus negative cases for COVID-19. RESULTS: Through March–June 2020, (145/846; 17%) suspected HCWs were tested for COVID-19 by PCR; out of them (70/145; 48.3%) were confirmed as positive, these positive cases represented (70/846; 8.3%) of all HCWs of the hospital. About 33% of confirmed COVID-19 positive HCWs acquired the infection from the healthcare while only (13/70; 19%) from community settings, and no clear exposure data were identified in (34/70; 48%) of cases. Most of symptomatic cases showed a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 versus asymptomatic cases, p < 0.001. There was no statistical significance regarding gender, age, presence of comorbidity, workload or the type of acquisition. CONCLUSION: HCWs are at an increased risk of COVID-19 infection at the workplace. Strict implementation of infection control measures is of crucial role in preventing transmission of COVID-19 infection in health-care settings.

scholarly journals An overview on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

2005 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.S.C. Hui
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Ventilatory Support ◽  
Major Complication ◽  
Supplemental Oxygen ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Systemic Steroid ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Immune Mediated

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a newly emerged infectious disease that has caught the medical profession by surprise in 2003. The major clinical features include persistent fever, chills/rigor, myalgia, malaise, dry cough, headache and dyspnoea but diarrhea occurs in 40-70% of patients after hospital admission. Respiratory failure is the major complication of SARS; at least half of the patients require supplemental oxygen during the acute phase whereas about 20% of patients progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring invasive mechanical ventilatory support. In contrast, the severity is generally mild in infected young children. Due to our limited understanding of this new disease, treatment of SARS was empirical in 2003. Protease inhibitor (Lopinavir/ritonavir) in combination with ribavirin may play a role as antiviral therapy in the early phase whereas nelfinavir is a promising alternative. The role of interferon and systemic steroid in preventing immune- mediated lung injury deserves further investigation. In addition, other anti-viral treatment, RNA interference, monoclonal antibody, synthetic peptides, and vaccines are being developed. Rapid diagnosis, early isolation, and good infection control measures are important in preventing spread of the infection.

scholarly journals Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Pediatric Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (227) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupesh Shrestha ◽  
Laxman Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Disease Spectrum ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
New Public

Coronavirus disease 2019, the new public health emergency that originated in China, is spreading rapidly across the globe with limited tools to confine this growing pandemic. The virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is transmitted by droplet infection from person to person. Our current understanding of the disease spectrum is limited. The proportion of infected children is significantly less compared to adults with the majority of them showing mild symptoms. More than half of symptomatic children present with fever and cough. However, the extent of asymptomatic infection in children and the role they play in community transmission is still undetermined. Although there are case reports of neonates infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, vertical transmission from infected mother to new-born is yet to be proven. The disease is confirmed by demonstration of the virus by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerasechain reaction in respiratory secretions. Due to the lack of specific antiviral agents, we rely on infection-control measures to prevent disease spread and on supportive care for infected ones. This article has summarized the clinical characteristics of children with coronavirus disease 2019 based on published case reports.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for Long-Term Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Persistence—A Prospective Longitudinal Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Correa-Martinez ◽  
Stollenwerk ◽  
Kossow ◽  
Schaumburg ◽  
Mellmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
History Of ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are important nosocomial pathogens that require effective infection control measures, representing a challenge for healthcare systems. This study aimed at identifying risk factors associated with prolonged VRE carriage and determining the rate of clearance that allows the discontinuation of contact precautions. During a 2-year study, screening was performed in patients with a history of VRE or at risk of becoming colonized. After bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing, glycopeptide resistance was confirmed by PCR. Isolates were compared via whole genome sequence-based typing. Risk factors were recorded, and follow-up screening was performed upon readmission, defining patients as long-term carriers if still colonized ≥10 weeks after first detection. Of 1059 patients positive for VRE, carriage status was assessed upon readmission in 463 patients. VRE was cleared in 56.4% of the cases. Risk factors associated with long-term persistence were hospital stays (frequency, length), hemato-oncological disease, systemic treatment with steroids, and use of antibiotics. No specific genotypic clustering was observed in patients with VRE clearance or persistence. VRE clearance is possibly underestimated. The identification of risk factors favoring long-term carriage may contribute to a targeted implementation of infection control measures upon readmission of patients with history of VRE.

Evaluation of Suspected COVID-19 Patients in a Pediatric Emergency Department

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halise Akca ◽  
Funda Kurt ◽  
Ayla Akca Caglar ◽  
Ahmet Alptug Güngör ◽  
Aylin Irmak Kuruc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Test ◽  
Positive Group ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
History Of

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a global pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of COVID-19 in pediatric patients and to compare the characteristics of positive and negative patients. This study conducted from March to May 2020 in a tertiary children's hospital. Patients were included if they were under 18 years old and a SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test had been performed. Of the 1,812 patients included in the study, 365 (20.1%) were positive for COVID-19. The median age was 102 months in the positive group, 70 months in the negative group (p < 0.001). The sex distribution was almost equal. Nearly all positive patients had been in close contact with a COVID-19 infected family household member (p < 0.001). The most common symptoms were fever (54.4%) and cough (38.6%). The asymptomatic patient rate was higher in the positive group (p < 0.001). Lymphopenia (<1500/mm3) was found in 29.9% of the positive children (p = 0.005). When the groups were compared, white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; and C-reactive protein level were lower in the positive group. Chest radiography was performed in 95.3% of the positive patients, and the results of 29.7% of them were interpreted as pathological (p < 0.001). Most of the pediatric patients had a history of contact with COVID-19 positive individuals, and therefore, the diagnosis is generally suspected from a history of household exposure to COVID-19. Lymphopenia can help predict positivity. Awareness, reinforcing infection control measures, and performing health management within families are important steps to manage these patients.

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