Characteristics of Human Metapneumovirus Infection Compared to Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Infections in Adults Hospitalized for Influenza-Like Illness in France, 2012–2022 - Summary - MDSpire

Characteristics of Human Metapneumovirus Infection Compared to Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Infections in Adults Hospitalized for Influenza-Like Illness in France, 2012–2022

  • By

  • Paul Loubet

  • Salomé Guitton

  • Simon Rolland

  • Louise H Lefrancois

  • Liem Binh Luong Nguyen

  • Philippe Vanhems

  • Fabrice Laine

  • Florence Galtier

  • Xavier Duval

  • Bruno Lina

  • Martine Valette

  • Giséle Lagathu

  • Vincent Foulongne

  • Nadira Houhou-Fidhou

  • Anne Sophie L’Honneur

  • Fabrice Carrat

  • Laurence Meyer

  • Christine Durier

  • Odile Launay

  • for the FLUVAC Study Group

  • July 16, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To compare the characteristics and outcomes of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection with influenza A and B (FLUV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in adults hospitalized with influenza-like illness (ILI), highlighting the significance of these comparisons.

Key Findings:
  • 55% of patients had at least one respiratory virus detected, with FLUV (42%), RSV (7%), and hMPV (5%) being the most common.
  • hMPV+ patients had a higher rate of complications compared to FLUV+ patients (60% vs 50%; P = .02), particularly acute heart failure (22% vs 11%; P < .001).
  • In-hospital all-cause death rates were similar across hMPV+, FLUV+, and RSV+ groups (4%, 4%, and 5%, respectively).
Interpretation:

hMPV infections in hospitalized adults are associated with higher complication rates compared to influenza, particularly in older patients with chronic conditions, indicating a need for heightened clinical awareness.

Limitations:
  • The study is limited to hospitalized patients, which may not represent the general population, potentially skewing the understanding of hMPV's impact.
  • Potential underestimation of hMPV incidence due to variability in testing practices, which could affect the reliability of the findings.
Conclusion:

Hospitalized hMPV infections predominantly affect older adults with comorbidities, leading to significant cardiac and pulmonary complications, similar to RSV but more severe than influenza, underscoring the need for targeted clinical strategies.

Original Source(s)

Characteristics of Human Metapneumovirus Infection Compared to Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Infections in Adults Hospitalized for Influenza-Like Illness in France, 2012–2022

  • by Paul Loubet, Salomé Guitton, Simon Rolland, Louise H Lefrancois, Liem Binh Luong Nguyen, Philippe Vanhems, Fabrice Laine, Florence Galtier, Xavier Duval, Bruno Lina, Martine Valette, Giséle Lagathu, Vincent Foulongne, Nadira Houhou-Fidhou, Anne Sophie L’Honneur, Fabrice Carrat, Laurence Meyer, Christine Durier, Odile Launay, for the FLUVAC Study Group

  • July 16, 2025

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