Severity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Other Respiratory Viruses Versus Seasonal Influenza Among Hospitalized Patients With Cancer - Summary - MDSpire

Severity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Other Respiratory Viruses Versus Seasonal Influenza Among Hospitalized Patients With Cancer

  • By

  • Liang En Wee

  • Leicester Shawn Alcantara

  • May Kyawt Aung

  • Shalvi Arora

  • Jean Xiang Ying Sim

  • Dong Dong Ren

  • Zachary Allen Vincent

  • Veeramani Srivathsan

  • Tertius Tansloan Tuy

  • Shin Yeu Ong

  • Wei Chong Tan

  • Iain Beehuat Tan

  • Limin Wijaya

  • Indumathi Venkatachalam

  • Kelvin Bryan Tan

  • Benjamin W Teh

  • Ban Hock Tan

  • November 6, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the comparative severity of respiratory viral infections (RVIs), specifically focusing on non-vaccine-preventable RVIs like RSV, against seasonal influenza in hospitalized cancer patients.

Key Findings:
  • 29.4% of hospitalized patients had severe infections requiring oxygen, ICU admission, or resulted in death, with detailed statistics on each category.
  • RSV and other RVIs (HMPV, adenovirus) were associated with higher severity compared to influenza, with adjusted odds ratios provided.
  • Patients with RSV had increased odds for ICU admission (aOR 2.41) and mortality (aOR 2.42) compared to those with influenza, emphasizing the statistical significance.
  • Older age, comorbid conditions, coinfections, and nosocomial transmission were linked to greater severity, with specific odds ratios included.
Interpretation:

RSV poses a significant risk for severe outcomes in hospitalized cancer patients, highlighting the need for improved infection prevention and development of new vaccines and therapeutics.

Limitations:
  • Study limited to a single center, potentially affecting generalizability, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have altered RVI transmission dynamics.
Conclusion:

RSV and other non-vaccine-preventable RVIs are more severe than seasonal influenza in hospitalized cancer patients, emphasizing the need for enhanced preventive measures and therapeutic options, particularly in light of the high morbidity and mortality rates observed.

Original Source(s)

Severity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Other Respiratory Viruses Versus Seasonal Influenza Among Hospitalized Patients With Cancer

  • by Liang En Wee, Leicester Shawn Alcantara, May Kyawt Aung, Shalvi Arora, Jean Xiang Ying Sim, Dong Dong Ren, Zachary Allen Vincent, Veeramani Srivathsan, Tertius Tansloan Tuy, Shin Yeu Ong, Wei Chong Tan, Iain Beehuat Tan, Limin Wijaya, Indumathi Venkatachalam, Kelvin Bryan Tan, Benjamin W Teh, Ban Hock Tan

  • November 6, 2025

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