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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, February 2006, p. 395-399, Vol. 44, No. 2
0095-1137/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.44.2.395-399.2006
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Environmental Monitoring for Gastroenteric Viruses in a Pediatric Primary Immunodeficiency Unit

Chris I. Gallimore,^1* Clive Taylor,² Andrew R. Gennery,³ Andrew J. Cant,³ Angela Galloway,⁴ Miren Iturriza-Gomara,¹ and Jim J. Gray¹

Enteric Virus Unit, Virus Reference Department, Centre for Infections, Health Protection Agency, Colindale, London, United Kingdom,¹ Newcastle Laboratory, Health Protection Agency North East, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle, United Kingdom,² Primary Immunodeficiency Unit, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle, United Kingdom,³ Department of Microbiology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, United Kingdom⁴

Received 8 August 2005/ Returned for modification 14 November 2005/ Accepted 1 December 2005

The aim of this study was to determine if gastroenteric viruses were present on surfaces and equipment in a pediatric primary immunodeficiency unit (PPIU) by environmental sampling using swabs and subsequent nucleic acid extraction and reverse transcriptase PCR assays. A PPIU was chosen, and 11 swabs were taken at the same sites every 2 weeks for 6 months. Nested/heminested PCR assays were used to screen for astroviruses (AsV), noroviruses (NoV), and rotaviruses (RV). AsV, NoV, and RV were detected at multiple swab sites during the study period. NoV was the most frequently detected virus on environmental surfaces; however, RV was detected on 79% and NoV on 50% of swabbing dates during the study period. Toilet taps were the most contaminated sites. Fecal samples from selected patients in the unit were also screened during the study period, and patients excreted AsV, NoV, and RV at times during the study. New cleaning schedules and changes in some of the PPIU sanitary furniture have been suggested as a means of reducing environmental contamination.

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* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Enteric Virus Unit, Virus Reference Department, Centre for Infections, Health Protection Agency, Colindale, London NW9 5HT, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-208-327-7795. Fax: 44-208-205-8195. E-mail: christopher.gallimore{at}hpa.org.uk.

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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, February 2006, p. 395-399, Vol. 44, No. 2
0095-1137/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.44.2.395-399.2006
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

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