Disease Burden of RSV Infection in Adult Patients in Comparison to Influenza Virus Infection

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a significant pathogen, primarily recognized for its impact on pediatric populations.
• The clinical burden of RSV in adults has been historically underestimated due to limited diagnostic testing, particularly before the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Understanding RSV's impact on adult health is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively investigate the medical burden of RSV infections in adults.
• To compare the clinical outcomes of RSV infections with influenza A/B in adult patients.
• To stratify the analysis by age groups, focusing on individuals under 60 and those 60 years and older.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 6-year longitudinal data (2018-2023) from a university hospital in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
• Included 380 PCR-confirmed RSV cases and 1088 confirmed influenza A/B cases.
• Compared hospitalization rates, oxygen requirements, and mortality between RSV and influenza groups, stratified by age.

Main Results:

• Overall hospitalization rates were similar between RSV and influenza cases.
• Oxygen supply was more frequent in influenza infections across the entire cohort.
• In adults aged 60 and above, RSV and influenza showed comparable rates of hospitalization, oxygen need, and mortality.

Conclusions:

• RSV poses a significant clinical threat to adults, particularly the elderly (≥60 years), with a disease burden comparable to influenza.
• The findings underscore the importance of considering RSV alongside influenza when assessing respiratory illness severity in older adults.
• This research supports the development and implementation of targeted RSV vaccination programs for high-risk adult populations, especially the elderly.