Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Rapid Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Influenza Viruses A and B
05:38

Rapid Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Influenza Viruses A and B

Published on: January 30, 2017

Parainfluenza virus type 3 infections in a hematology unit

U Hohenthal1, J Nikoskelainen, R Vainionpää

  • 1Department of Medicine, Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.

Bone Marrow Transplantation
|March 30, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Early intravenous ribavirin therapy can prevent deaths from parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3) lower respiratory tract infections in immunocompromised patients. Strict isolation and rapid diagnostics help contain PIV3 spread in hematology units.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Hematology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3) poses a significant mortality risk for bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients with lower respiratory tract infections.
  • Hematological malignancies and stem cell transplantation increase patient vulnerability to severe PIV3 infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe PIV3 infections in a hematology unit, focusing on outcomes and control measures.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous ribavirin and infection control strategies for PIV3 in immunocompromised patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case series of nine patients with hematological malignancies and PIV3 infection.
  • Administration of intravenous ribavirin to four patients with pulmonary infiltrates.
  • Implementation of infection control policies including rapid antigen detection, contact isolation, and staff education.

Main Results:

  • All four patients treated with intravenous ribavirin survived.
  • PIV3 infections were both community-acquired and nosocomially acquired.
  • Implemented infection control measures, including isolation and rapid diagnostics, were effective in containing nosocomial spread.

Conclusions:

  • Early initiation of intravenous ribavirin may be crucial for improving survival rates in immunocompromised patients with PIV3 lower respiratory tract infections.
  • Systematic nasopharyngeal sampling, cohorting, and contact isolation are effective in controlling nosocomial PIV3 transmission within a hematology ward.

More Related Videos

Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection10:44

Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection

Published on: September 7, 2017

Modeling Dysplastic and Functional Lung Alveolar Repair after Influenza Infection07:45

Modeling Dysplastic and Functional Lung Alveolar Repair after Influenza Infection

Published on: September 19, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Influenza01:27

Influenza

Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...