The role of human metapneumovirus in the critically ill adult patient.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to describe the role of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in critical illness and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Materials And Methods: We collected clinical and demographic information from a retrospective chart review, comparing patients with and without an intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Among patients admitted to the ICU, we assessed whether hMPV was "unlikely," "possibly," or "likely" the reason for ICU admission, based on a prespecified definition, and whether the patient met criteria for ARDS.

Results: We identified 128 hospitalized adults with hMPV infection. Forty hospitalized patients (31%) with hMPV infection required admission to the ICU. Among patients cared for in the ICU, hMPV was "possibly" the reason for ICU admission in 55% of patients and "likely" the reason in 38%. Forty-eight percent of ICU patients met criteria for ARDS. Although most patients admitted to the ICU had significant comorbidities or were immunosuppressed, 6 patients requiring ICU admission had more minor comorbidities and no underlying immunosuppression.

Conclusions: Although most patients hospitalized with hMPV had chronic cardiac or pulmonary disease, hMPV can also be associated serious respiratory illness and ARDS in adult patients without significant comorbidities or immunosuppression.