NOSOCOMIAL CALICIVIRUS GASTROENTERITIS IN A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL

At St. Goran's Children's Hospital (a tertiary center), we perform ele ctron microscopy of feces in most cases of nosocomial gastroenteritis. From September 1987 through April 1992 we identified 32 episodes of c alicivirus infection, 25 of which were nosocomial and, except for one outbreak, sporadic. Systematic study of the nosocomial outbreak of cal icivirus gastroenteritis from November 1991 to January 1992, revealed calicivirus in the stools of 8 of 23 children with diarrhea and 0 of 1 0 without diarrhea. In 3 of 7 sampled after cessation of diarrhea, cal icivirus excretion continued for 3 to 6 days. We found no calicivirus in 42 staff members or 9 members of infected patients' families. Nosoc omial transmission of calicivirus can occur among infants.