Identification and Analysis of the Pathogenic Agents in a Group of Newborn Suspected being Infected by Enterovirus

Lin TL

2004 Vol.20 NO.3

Correspondence Author：

Abstract：

In mid-November 2003, an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Hsitsu of Taipei County reported an incident of a possible group enterovirus infection of 12 babies. On November 16, the clinic delivered a premature baby. On 19th (two days after discharge from the clinic), the family, having noticed that the baby was suffering from sustained high fever, took the baby back to the clinic. The baby was then referred to the Mckay Hospital for care. Soon after, babies sharing ward with the premature baby developed one by one symptoms of suspected enterovirus infection. The baby in question died in the Mckay Hospital on the 27th. Since the premature baby became ill, the clinic noticed that several babies had also developed symptom of fever. They were all referred to the Mckay Hospital for care. The 12 babies had symptoms such as inflammation of the lungs and increase in WBC indexes. The Center for Disease Control of the Department of Health then collected specimens from the dead baby and the other 11 babies for laboratory testing and analysis at the Enterovirus Laboratory of the Center to timely isolate pathogenic agents for identification, and to present laboratory testing findings to the “Advisory Group on the Clinical Care of Critical Illnesses” to formulate control measures.