An outbreak of necrotizing enterocolitis associated with norovirus genotype GII.3

Abstract

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an acute abdominal emergency of unknown etiology predominantly affecting preterm infants. We describe a cluster of NEC in a level III NICU involving 15 infants over a 6-month period. Cohorting and stringent infection control measures were associated with termination of the cluster. A case-control study was used to investigate potential risk factors associated with development of NEC. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 55 infants (10 of 15 NEC and 45 non-NEC controls). Enteric pathogens were identified by culture and/or molecular diagnostic techniques. For the case-control study, controls were selected from admitted neonates during the sa..