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Hospitalization rates similar for RSV, HMPV, influenza in older adults

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Recent data suggest that hospitalization rates in adults aged at least 50 years residing in Tennessee were similar for respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus and influenza virus.

“Defining rates of illness due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) may support vaccine development for the prevention of the disease and drug development for treatment of RSV and HMPV infection,” researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center wrote.

The prospective study was conducted during three consecutive winter seasons. Patients aged at least 50 years who were admitted to one of four hospitals with acute respiratory illness were included. Nasal/throat swabs were tested for influenza, RSV and HMPV using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

There were 1,042 eligible patients, of whom 508 consented to testing. RSV was detected in 31 patients, HMPV in 23 patients and influenza was detected in 33 patients. Among patients aged 65 years and older, 78% received influenza vaccination.

Patients with RSV were older and more likely to be immunocompromised than patients with influenza. Patients with HMPV were older, had more cardiovascular disease, were more likely to have received the influenza vaccine and were less likely to report fever compared with patients with influenza.

Annual rates of hospitalization during the 3 years were 15.01 per 10,000 residents for RSV, 9.82 per 10,000 residents for HMPV and 11.81 per 10,000 residents for influenza.

“RSV and HMPV both cause a significant number of hospitalizations in adults aged 50 years and older, especially among those aged 65 years and older,” the researchers wrote. “Antiviral therapy and vaccines for the prevention and treatment of RSV and HMPV should be pursued to reduce the impact of these important viral agents in older adults.”

References:

Widmer K. J Infect Dis. 2012;206:56-62.

Disclosures:

Two researchers report financial relationships with Quidel and Sanofi-Pasteur. .