title: RNA-electrophoresis as a typing method for nosocomial rotavirus infection in a special-care baby unit.
abstract: During January and February 1988 an outbreak of nosocomial rotavirus infection occurred in a special-care baby unit (SCBU). Seven infants were affected, of whom five had symptoms of diarrhoea. Typing by RNA electrophoresis (electropherotyping) demonstrated that a single rotavirus strain was responsible for the outbreak. The epidemic electropherotype was introduced by an infant with diarrhoea admitted directly into the SCBU from the community. Eight other electropherotypes were identified during January and February in patients with community-acquired rotavirus diarrhoea on other paediatric wards, but the outbreak strain occurred only on the SCBU. Electropherotyping is a useful and rapid method for tracing the epidemiology of hospital-acquired rotavirus infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Fok
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: French
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004586:Electrophoresis; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009725:Nurseries, Hospital; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral