Comparative analysis of mortality in patients admitted with an infection with influenza A/B virus, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, metapneumovirus or SARS‐CoV‐2

Abstract

BackgroundWhile influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) are recognised as a cause of severe illness and mortality, clinical interest for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infections is still limited.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective database study comparing baseline characteristics and 30‐day mortality in a large cohort of adult patients admitted for an overnight stay or longer with an influenza virus (A/B), rhinovirus, hMPV, RSV or SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. For non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 viruses, data were included for the period July 2017–February 2020. For SARS‐CoV‐2, data between March 2020 and March 2022 were included.ResultsCovariate‐adjusted 30‐day mortality following RSV, hMPV or rhinovirus infections was substantial (crude mortality 8–10%) and comparable with mortality following hospitalisation with an influenza A virus infection. Mortality following a SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was consistently higher than for any other respiratory virus, at any point in time (crude mortality 14–25%). Odds of mortality for SARS‐CoV‐2 compared with influenza A declined from 4.9 to 1.7 over the course of the pandemic. Patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection had less comorbidity than patients with other respiratory virus infections and were more often male. In this cohort, age was related to mortality following hospitalisation, while an association with comorbidity was not apparent.ConclusionsWith the exception of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections, we find the clinical outcome of common respiratory virus infections requiring hospitalisation more similar than often assumed. The observed mortality from SARS‐CoV‐2 was significantly higher, but the difference with other respiratory viruses became less distinct over time.

COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV in Children and Adults: A Clinical Comparative Study of 12,000 Cases

“…In a study comparing mortality rates among FLU, RSV, rhinovirus, metapneumovirus, and COVID-19 infections, COVID-19 initially showed the highest mortality. Over time, the mortality rate differences between COVID-19 and other viruses lessened [ 4 ]. This research also found a higher mortality rate among COVID-19 patients compared to those with FLU or RSV, mainly among adults.…”

“…The emergence in 2019 of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, led to an increase in mortality and hospitalization rates across all age groups due to the infection [ 4 , 5 ]. Conversely, during this period, social measures such as social distancing and wearing masks contributed to a decrease in emergency department (ED) visits [ 5 ].…”

“…Investigations into the severity of infections caused by COVID-19, FLU, and RSV have predominantly concentrated on pediatric and adult populations independently, often scrutinizing the effects of either individual viruses or their combined impact [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Notwithstanding, comparative analyses delineating the clinical manifestations of these pathogens among individuals younger than 18 versus those of adults remain markedly limited.…”

Contributing to the management of viral infections through simple immunosensing of the arachidonic acid serum level

“…In this context, the identification of specific parameters that allow a more precise diagnosis and evaluation of the severity of viral infections, and the development of new technologies that allow their rapid, simple, reliable, affordable, and in situ determination, is considered imperative. These actions will carry significant benefits in mitigating the risk of inadequate antimicrobial treatments, optimizing clinical outcomes, minimizing toxicity and other adverse events, and reducing healthcare expenditures associated with infections and mitigating the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains [ 23 ].…”