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Is Primary Cytomegalovirus Infection an Occupational Hazard for Obstetric Nurses? A Serological Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Lawrence I. Hatherley
Lawrence I. Hatherley*
Affiliation:
Department of Community Medicine, Mercy Maternity Hospital, Victoria, Australia
*
Department of Community Medicine, Mercy Maternity Hospital, Clarendon Street, East Melbourne, 3002, Victoria, Australia
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Abstract

The results are reported of a 4-year prospective study of the incidence of primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in the nursing staff of a specialist obstetric hospital. The absence of seroconversion found in personnel attending patients with confirmed CMV-infection justifies reassuring staff members in “high-risk” areas of the adequacy of the methods used to combat cross-infection . On the other hand, a low rate of seroconversion (1.2% per annum) in the staff who nurse normal mothers and “rooming-in” babies emphasizes the need for die rigorous observance of hygienic precautions by all personnel in all areas. The results of this Australian investigation are discussed in relation to the northern hemisphere experience of CMV-seroconversion in pediatric nurses.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 7 , Issue 9 , September 1986 , pp. 452 - 455
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1986

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