[Respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia in hospitalized adults: a multicenter study]

There is no information about clinical impact of hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonia in adults in Argentina. The objective was to determine the clinical impact of RSV pneumonia in hospitalized adult patients across three healthcare centers.

Retrospective, observational study. Patients =18 years hospitalized for RSV respiratory infection in three health centers Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area.

viral panel (PCR) in respiratory specimens positive only for RSV.

36 patients were enrolled; age 65 years (IQR 53.7-77.2 years), 36.1% of patients were <60 years old; ex-smokers/current smokers: (n=22, 61%); symptoms: dyspnea 100%, cough 86.1%, asthenia 52.7%, and fever 50%. Comorbidities (n=34, 94.4%): 61.1% cardiovascular, 41.6% chronic pulmonary disease, 22.2% cerebrovascular, and 19.4% oncological. The most frequent pulmonary radiological pattern was alveolar (68.7%); lymphopenia (12.8%). 38.8% of patients were admitted in ICU. Lethality was 19.4% (n=7). Patients =60 years old showed a higher burden of comorbidities (cardiovascular, p=0.004 and obesity, p<0.001), less fever and cough (both p<0.001), and higher lethality (HR 3.38, p<0.001).

Older adult patients, = 60 years, hospitalized due to RSV pneumonia could present with a high burden of comorbidities (cardiovascular and obesity), overlapping clinical symptoms, and high lethality. The most frequent radiological pattern would be alveolar, with lymphopenia. Almost 40% of patients were admitted to ICU. In our knowledge this is the first study of the clinical impact in adults hospitalized of RSV pneumonia in our country.