Key result
Rhinovirus/enterovirus accounts for ~8% of respiratory hospitalizations in adults over 50.
Why the study?
Because no pharmaceutical interventions exist for non-vaccine-preventable respiratory viruses, the impact of viruses such as rhinovirus/enterovirus on respiratory hospitalizations remains poorly characterized.
Cohort (n=10,675)
Rhinovirus/enterovirus and other non-vaccine-preventable respiratory viruses contribute significantly to hospitalizations and mortality in older adults, highlighting the need for targeted preventive strategies.
Highlights unmet therapeutic need for non-vaccine-preventable viruses in ARI; leaves open key targets for antiviral and vaccine development.
Background Understanding the burden of acute viral respiratory infection-related hospitalizations is crucial for guiding research and development. Unlike influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, no pharmaceutical interventions exist for other respiratory viruses; therefore, their impact remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to investigate the association of current non-vaccine-preventable respiratory viruses, especially rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV/EV), on hospitalizations during the respiratory seasons. Methods Data from a prospective study that used multiplex polymerase chain reaction to conduct long-term surveillance on respiratory viruses in Valencia, Spain were analyzed. Patients aged ≥50 years hospitalized due to respiratory illness from 2014–15–2019–20 were included. Results Respiratory viruses were detected in 35.2% (3,755/10,675) of hospitalized patients with acute respiratory illness. Influenza and RSV accounted for 22.1% of hospitalizations, RV/EV for 7.6%, and other non-vaccine-preventable viruses for 5.4%. Adults ≥75 years had average seasonal hospitalization incidence rates more than twice those aged 65–74 years and eight times those aged 50–64-year-olds. No significant differences in severity markers were observed among patients with or without virus identified, those aged ≥75 years had a 2–3 times higher mortality rate compared to younger age groups. Conclusions The potential impact of respiratory viruses on hospitalization rates among older adults, particularly those aged ≥75 years, highlights the need for targeted interventions to reduce healthcare system burden. Enhanced diagnostic capabilities and the development of next-generation preventive strategies, including vaccines and therapeutics, could improve patient outcomes and strengthen the resilience of the healthcare system during respiratory virus seasons.
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Chaves et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Acute respiratory illness (n=10,675). Rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV/EV) infection was evaluated on Proportion of hospitalizations with rhinovirus/enterovirus detected. Rhinovirus/enterovirus accounted for 7.6% of respiratory hospitalizations in adults ≥50 years, with patients ≥75 years having 8 times the incidence of those aged 50-64 years.
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