Acute hepatitis A infection in a postoperative patient: A tropical nosocomial infection to be mentioned

How to cite this article:
Wiwanitkit S, Wiwanitkit V. Acute hepatitis A infection in a postoperative patient: A tropical nosocomial infection to be mentioned. Ann Trop Med Public Health 2013;6:589

 

How to cite this URL:
Wiwanitkit S, Wiwanitkit V. Acute hepatitis A infection in a postoperative patient: A tropical nosocomial infection to be mentioned. Ann Trop Med Public Health [serial online] 2013 [cited 2017 Nov 14];6:589. Available from: https://www.atmph.org/text.asp?2013/6/5/589/133755

Dear Sir,

Acute hepatitis A infection is a common infectious hepatitis that can be seen around the world. In the tropical developing country with poor sanitation, the infection can be frequently seen. The food sanitation is the key factor for successful control of the disease. [1] Of interest, in the hospital settings, which should be the place with good infectious control, the report of disease can be seen. [2],[3] Here, the authors experience a case of a postoperative patient who admitted to a first class ward in a hospital. The patient develops acute illness with fever, nausea, vomiting, and subcostal abdominal pain. Complete workup is done and it reveals that the seropostivity for hepatitis A can be seen. There is no other abnormal laboratory result. Further history taking identify the possible contributing etiology as contaminated food served in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital. In fact, the hepatitis A virus is an important nosocomial pathogen in ICU. [4] Nevertheless, the problem can be seen in any wards of the hospital (such as delivery room, [5] neonatal unit, [6] etc.) This case can be a good example showing poor standard of the hospital in the tropical world and the promotion of the food sanitation is required. The authors recommend that any hospital should implement the protocol for routine investigation of food contamination and providing vaccination for the worker for prevention of nosocomial spreading of infectious disease.

References

 

1. Brundage SC, Fitzpatrick AN. Hepatitis A. Am Fam Physician 2006;73:2162-8.
2. Jensenius M, Ringertz SH, Berild D, Bell H, Espinoza R, Grinde B. Prolonged nosocomial outbreak of hepatitis A arising from an alcoholic with pneumonia. Scand J Infect Dis 1998;30:119-23.
3. Krober MS, Bass JW, Brown JD, Lemon SM, Rupert KJ. Hospital outbreak of hepatitis A: Risk factors for spread. Pediatr Infect Dis 1984;3:296-9.
4. Civardi E, Tzialla C, Baldanti F, Strocchio L, Manzoni P, Stronati M. Viral outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units: What we do not know. Am J Infect Control 2013;41:854-6.
5. Motte A, Blanc J, Minodier P, Colson P. Acute hepatitis A in a pregnant woman at delivery. Int J Infect Dis 2009;13:e49-51.
6. Petrosillo N, Raffaele B, Martini L, Nicastri E, Nurra G, Anzidei G, et al. A nosocomial and occupational cluster of hepatitis A virus infection in a pediatric ward. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2002;23:343-5.

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

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DOI: 10.4103/1755-6783.133755

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