Respiratory syncytial virus: Characteristics, complications and mortality in immunocompetent versus immunocompromised hospitalized adults in Northern Denmark

Trine Langfeldt Hagen*, Mette Juul Nitschke, Jesper Smit

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an increasingly well-known cause of severe respiratory symptoms in adults. We aimed to describe characteristics, complications and in-hospital mortality of adults admitted to hospital with RSV-related respiratory symptoms.

METHODS: Data were collected from electronic health records in the North Denmark Region for hospitalized adults diagnosed with RSV between April 1st - December 31st 2021. We collected data on characteristics, complications and mortality. Results were compared between immunocompromised and -competent patients.

RESULTS: We included 111 patients. Sixty-five percent had comorbidities and 20 % received immunosuppressive drugs. Fifty-three percent had bacterial pneumonia and 61 % needed oxygen support. Mortality was 12 %. There were no differences in complications between the compared groups.

CONCLUSION: Severe respiratory symptoms were frequent among RSV-patients. Bacterial co-infections were common in the study population and mortality was considerable, regardless of known immunosuppression, thus warranting thorough and early investigations in RSV-positive patients.

Original languageEnglish
Article number116605
JournalDiagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Volume111
Issue number2
Number of pages5
ISSN0732-8893
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2025

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • Airway infection
  • Antimicrobial stewardship
  • Respiratory syncytial virus
  • Respiratory virus
  • Viral infection

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