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Comparative Study
. 2025 Jul 16;232(Supplement_1):S93-S100.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaf082.

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

Paul Loubet  1   2 , Salomé Guitton  3 , Simon Rolland  4 , Louise H Lefrancois  2 , Liem Binh Luong Nguyen  5 , Philippe Vanhems  6 , Fabrice Laine  7 , Florence Galtier  8 , Xavier Duval  9   10 , Bruno Lina  11 , Martine Valette  12 , Giséle Lagathu  12 , Vincent Foulongne  13 , Nadira Houhou-Fidhou  14 , Anne Sophie L'Honneur  15 , Fabrice Carrat  16 , Laurence Meyer  3   17 , Christine Durier  3 , Odile Launay  2   5
Affiliations
Comparative Study

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

Paul Loubet et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: We aimed to compare the characteristics of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection with influenza A and B virus (FLUV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in adults hospitalized with influenza-like illness (ILI).

Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of adult patients hospitalized with community-acquired ILI who were enrolled in the FLUVAC study at 5 French referral hospitals from 2012 to 2022.

Results: At least 1 respiratory virus was detected in 3620 of 6618 patients (55%), including FLUV (1524/3620 [42%]), RSV (248/3620 [7%]), and hMPV (162/3620 [5%]). hMPV+ patients, when compared to FLUV+ patients were more likely to develop at least 1 complication (60% [86/143] vs 50% [716/1435]; P = .02), especially acute heart failure, which occurred twice as often in hMPV+ during the hospital stay (22% [32/143] vs 11% [160/1434]; P < .001). The rates of respiratory (30% [43/143] vs 32% [70/216]; P = .73) or cardiac (22% [32/143] vs 15% [33/216]; P = .09) complications did not differ between hMPV+ and RSV+ patients. The in-hospital all-cause death rate was similar among all 3 populations (4% hMPV+, 4% FLUV+, and 5% RSV+).

Conclusions: Hospitalized hMPV infections affect older patients with multiple chronic conditions who face frequent cardiac and pulmonary complications during hospitalization more frequently than with influenza and similar to RSV.

Keywords: adults; hospitalization; human metapneumovirus; influenza; respiratory syncytial virus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential conflicts of interest. P. L. has received personal fees and nonfinancial support from AstraZeneca, GSK, Moderna, Pfizer, and Sanofi Pasteur. O. L. is an investigator for clinical trials sponsored by Janssen, GSK, Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, and MSD and receives personal fees and travel support to attend scientific meetings from these pharmaceutical companies. All other authors report no potential conflicts. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Study flowchart. Abbreviations: hMPV, human metapneumovirus; RSV, respiratory syncytial virus.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) monthly distributions according to the seasons of the FLUVAC study (A) and monthly distribution of hMPV, influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) inclusions for all seasons (B). Inclusion periods: 21 November 2012 to 11 April 2013; 5 January 2014 to 2 April 2014; 6 January 2015 to 30 March 2015; 25 January 2016 to 27 April 2016; 15 December 2016 to 2 March 2017; 11 November 2017 to 12 April 2018; 26 October 2018 to 27 March 2019; 11 December 2019 to 16 March 2020; and 23 September 2020 to 28 September 2022.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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