Objective: To define the importance of nosocomial-acquired respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in an area with a high prevalence of paediatric HIV-1 infection.
Methods: A prospective study was performed that involved all children hospitalized to a general paediatric ward during the course of an RSV epidemic. These children were screened within 24 h of admission and subsequently at 3-4 day intervals for RSV infection using a direct immunofluorescence assay.
Results: RSV was detected in 36 (11.8%) of the 305 children upon initial investigation. Fourteen (38.9%) of the 36 children with community-acquired RSV infection were HIV-1 infected. Repeat sampling for RSV infection was performed in 130 children who tested negative for RSV infection on initial screening and who were hospitalized for > or =3 days. Nosocomial acquisition of RSV occurred among 11.5% of these children, of whom 33% were HIV-1 infected. Fourteen (93.3%) of the children with nosocomial RSV acquisition were clinically symptomatic and treated for 'nosocomial-sepsis'. Furthermore, RSV was isolated from 54% of all children who were investigated for clinically diagnosed nosocomial sepsis. Two (13%) of 15 children with nosocomial RSV infection died; both had other underlying medical conditions.
Conclusion: RSV is an important under-recognized cause of nosocomial infection and sepsis among children in this African country. Active interventions are warranted in addressing this problem, as has been successfully undertaken in developed countries.