Author:
Parrón Ignacio,Barrabeig Irene,Alseda Miquel,Rius Cristina,Cornejo-Sánchez Thais,Jané Mireia,Pérez Cristina,Guix Susana,Domínguez Àngela,Pérez Cristina,Álvarez Josep,Barrabeig Irene,Sala Maria Rosa,Belver Anna Isabel,Rovira Ariadna,Parrón Ignacio,Coronas Lorena,Alsedà Miquel,Godoy Pere,de Andres Anna,de Benito Javier,Camprubí Esteve,Cunillé Montse,Lluïsa Forns M.,Moreno-Martínez Antonio,Razquín Efrén,Sabaté Sara,de Simón Mercé,Rius Cristina,Domínguez Àngela,Soldevila Núria,Bartolomé Rosa,Cornejo-Sánchez Thais,Jané Mireia,Martínez Ana,Torner Núria,Izquierdo Conchita,Vileu Rosa Maria,Guix Susana,Camps Neus,Sabaté Maria,Minguell Sofia,Carol Monica,
Abstract
AbstractNorovirus is the leading cause of outbreaks of acute viral gastroenteritis. We carried out this study to investigate outbreaks in long-term care facilities reported in 2017 and 2018 in Catalonia (Spain). The characteristics of the centers, exposed persons and the genogroups responsible were analyzed. Viral loads were estimated. The attack rate (AR) of the outbreaks studied, and the rate ratio (RR) and the odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals as measures of association were calculated. The mean cycle thresholds were compared using the t-test for independent means. We included 30 outbreaks (4631 exposed people). The global AR was 25.93%. The RR of residents vs. staff was 2.28 (95% CI 2.0–2.6). The RR between AR in residents with total or severe dependence vs. residents with moderate, low or no-dependence was 1.23 (95% CI 1.05–1.45). The AR were higher in smaller centers than in larger ones (38.47% vs. 19.25% and RR 2; 95% CI 1.82–2.2). GII was responsible for 70% of outbreaks. No association was found between the genogroup and presenting symptoms (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.41–2.26). Viral loads were higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients (p = 0.001).
Funder
Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Catalan Agency for the Management of Grants for University
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC