What does this research mean for the field?

hMPV causes clinically significant disease in patients with haematological malignancy, leading to hospitalizations and mortality, despite the absence of specific treatments or vaccines. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To characterize the burden of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) among patients with haematological malignancies.

March 1, 2026Open Access

Underrated, Unvaccinated, Untreated: A Multinational Registry Analysis of Hmpv in Haematological Malignancy, Insights From EpiCOVIDeha/Epiresha Registry

Key Points

To characterize the burden of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) among patients with haematological malignancies.
Conducted a multicentre, retrospective cohort study.
Analyzed patients diagnosed with hMPV from January 2023 to December 2024.
Collected clinical, epidemiological, and outcome data and compared with matched cohorts of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 patients.
Assessed mortality predictors using Cox regression.
Included 130 patients with hMPV; median age was 58.5 years; 57% male.
64% were hospitalized; 19% required ICU admission; 30-day mortality was 8%.
73% received only supportive care; secondary infections occurred in 24% of cases.
Chronic renal disease increased mortality risk significantly (20.9 HR 11.05, p=0.014).
Severity and outcomes of hMPV were similar to influenza and SARS-CoV-2, but fewer targeted interventions were provided.

Abstract

Abstract Background Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an increasingly recognised acute respiratory pathogen in immunocompromised populations, yet its burden among patients with haematological malignancy remains poorly characterized. Unlike influenza or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), hMPV lacks both targeted treatment and vaccination options, contributing to diagnostic neglect and clinical underestimation. Methods We conducted a multicentre, retrospective cohort study within the EPICOVIDEHA/EPIRESEHA registry, analysing patients with haematological malignancy diagnosed with hMPV from January 2023 to December 2024. Clinical, epidemiological, and outcome data were collected and compared with matched cohorts of patients with influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections. Mortality predictors were assessed via Cox regression. Results The study included 130 patients with hMPV. Median age was 58.5 years; 57% were male. Plasma cell neoplasms (25%), lymphoma (23%), and AML (20%) were the most common haematological malignancies. Hospitalisation occurred in 64%, ICU admission in 19%, and 30-day mortality was 8%. Most cases (73%) received supportive care only. Secondary infections were common (24%). Chronic renal disease significantly increased mortality risk (20.9HR 11.05, p=0.014). Compared to influenza and SARS-CoV-2, hMPV patients had comparable severity and outcomes, with ICU admission rates of 18.5% versus 25.9% for influenza (p=0.316) and 20.9% versus 4.7% for SARS-CoV-2 (p=0.006), and 30-day mortality of 5.6% versus 11.1% for influenza (p=0.489) and 7.0% versus 2.3% for SARS-CoV-2 (p=0.277), yet received fewer targeted interventions. Conclusions hMPV causes clinically significant disease in patients with haematological malignancy, often necessitating hospital and ICU care, and leading to mortality. In the absence of specific treatments or vaccines, this virus remains an under-recognized pathogen in patients with haematological malignancy. Enhanced clinical awareness and investment in diagnostics, prevention, and therapeutics are needed.

Read Full Paperexternally

اسأل الذكاء الاصطناعي

Bookmark

View Full Paper