Multinational cohort study reveals high hospitalization rates in hematological malignancy patients infected with hMPV or RSV, indicating the need for focused treatment.
Background Respiratory viruses cause major morbidity and mortality in hematologic malignancies. While influenza and SARS-CoV-2 are well-characterized, data on hMPV and RSV remain scarce. We compared their clinical features in this high-risk group. Methods We conducted a multinational study of 130 hMPV and 243 RSV cases (2023–2024), with matched influenza and SARS-CoV-2 cohorts. Data covered patient characteristics, treatment, costs, and 30-day mortality. Results The hMPV and RSV groups had similar demographics and disease profiles, mainly lymphoma and plasma cell disorders. Most infections occurred in winter, with >60% presenting with non-pulmonary symptoms. Severe disease occurred in 52.3% (hMPV) and 63.8% (RSV). Hospitalization rates were high (63.8% vs. 74.9%), ICU admissions similar (18.5% vs. 8.6%), and 30-day mortality was 10.0% (hMPV) vs. 12.8% (RSV). Compared to hMPV, influenza cases had higher costs (US $33,250 vs. $18,517; p=0.034), greater antiviral use (74.1% vs. 1.9%; p< 0.001), and fewer bacterial co-infections (9.3% vs. 27.8%; p=0.024). SARS-CoV-2 cases also had more antivirals (65.1% vs. 1.2%; p< 0.001), fewer bacterial co-infections (9.3% vs. 25.6%; p=0.008), but slightly less severe disease (44.2% vs. 47.7%; p=0.003). RSV was linked to more secondary infections than influenza (bacterial 21.3% vs. 12.4%, p=0.033; viral 5.6% vs. 1.1%, p=0.035), higher ward costs, and shorter intermediate care stays (5 vs. 12 days; p=0.010). Influenza patients were more often vaccinated (11.2% vs. 0.6%; p< 0.001) and treated with antivirals (82.0% vs. 15.2%; p< 0.001). RSV showed more pulmonary symptoms (33.0% vs. 19.2%; p< 0.001), severe cases (62.1% vs. 40.4%; p< 0.001), and hospitalizations (74.4% vs. 54.2%; p< 0.001) than SARS-CoV-2, which had higher intermediate care costs and more targeted therapy (68.5% vs. 14.3%; p< 0.001). hMPV and RSV had comparable clinical profiles and outcomes, though hMPV showed slightly less treatment and more bacterial co-infections. Conclusion In hematologic malignancy patients, hMPV and RSV cause substantial morbidity, high hospitalization and ICU rates, and 30-day mortality (10.0% and 12.8%), comparable to influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Yet, they remain under-treated, highlighting the need for improved diagnostics and targeted care. Disclosures Jon Salmanton-Garcia, MSc, MPH, PhD, menarini, gilead, astrazeneca, pfizer: Honoraria Oliver A. Cornely, Prof. Dr., Al-Jazeera Pharmaceuticals/Hikma: Honoraria|Basilea: Advisor/Consultant|Cidara: Advisor/Consultant|Cidara: Board Member|Cidara: Grant/Research Support|Elion: Advisor/Consultant|F2G: Grant/Research Support|Gilead: Advisor/Consultant|Gilead: Grant/Research Support|Gilead: Honoraria|GlaxoSmithKline: Advisor/Consultant|GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria|Grupo Biotoscana/United Medical/Knight: Honoraria|Melinta: Advisor/Consultant|Melinta: Board Member|MSD: Honoraria|Mundipharma: Advisor/Consultant|Mundipharma: Grant/Research Support|Mundipharma: Honoraria|Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant|Pfizer: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Honoraria|Pulmocide: Board Member|Scynexis: Advisor/Consultant|Scynexis: Grant/Research Support|Shionogi: Advisor/Consultant|Shionogi: Honoraria
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