Skip to main content
Elsevier - PMC COVID-19 Collection logoLink to Elsevier - PMC COVID-19 Collection
. 2003 Oct 2;310(8049):1149–1150. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(77)91538-0

ROTAVIRUS INFECTIONS OF NEONATES

AM Murphy 1, MaryB Albrey 1, EvelynB Crewe 1
PMCID: PMC7135218  PMID: 73060

Abstract

Fæcal specimens from 628 newborn babies in the nurseries of six metropolitan hospitals were examined by electron microscopy for rotaviruses. 304 babies (49%) were found to be excreting virus. All those infected were in five nurseries; viruses were not detected in specimens from the sixth nursery. Two nurseries were studied for 9 mo and another for 11 mo and rotaviruses were found consistently in 40-50% of stools examined. There was no seasonal variation. None of the neonates under the age of one day were infected but by the age of three to four days approximately 50% were excreting virus. Most of those shedding virus were symptom-free but 84 (28%) had diarrhœa. Persisting endemic rotavirus infection is apparently common in hospital nurseries in Sydney. The virus is probably transmitted by environmental spread from neonate to neonate.

References

REFERENCES

  • 1.Murphy A.M., Albrey M.B., Hay P. Lancet. 1975;ii:452. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)90859-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Chrystie I.L., Totterdell B., Baker M.J., Scopes J.W., Banatvala J.E. Lancet. 1975;ii:79. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)90525-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Bishop R.F., Hewstone A.S., Davidson G.P., Townley R.R.W., Holmes I.H., Ruck B.J. J. clin. Path. 1976;29:46. doi: 10.1136/jcp.29.1.46. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.Cameron D.J.S., Bishop R.F., Davidson G.P., Townley R.R.W., Holmes I.H., Ruck B.J. Med.J.Aust. 1976;i:85. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Davidson G.P., Bishop R.F., Townley R.R.W., Holmes I.H., Ruck B.J. Lancet. 1975;i:242. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)91140-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Mebus C.A., Underdahl N.R., Rhodes M.B., Twiehaus M.J. 1969. Research Bulletin. Univ. of Nebraska, College of Agriculture and Home Economics 233. [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Zissis G., Lambert J.P., Fonteyne J., de Kegel D. Lancet. 1976;i:96. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(76)90196-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.Kapikian A.Z. New Engl. J. Med. 1976;294:965. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197604292941801. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Albrey M.B., Murphy A.M. Med. J. Aust. 1976;i:82. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1976.tb111890.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Matthews T.H.J., Nair C.D.G., Lawrence M.K., Tyrrell D.J.A. Lancet. 1976;ii:1387. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(76)91922-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Lancet (London, England) are provided here courtesy of Elsevier

RESOURCES