Human metapneumovirus pneumonia in patients with hematological malignancies

BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has recently emerged as a cause of respiratory infections in hematological patients. Clinical data are lacking to guide the management of HMPV pneumonias. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the clinical and radiographic presentation and outcome of HMPV pneumonias diagnosed in hematological patients. STUDY DESIGN: We screened the patients with a positive HMPV respiratory test in two French teaching hospitals between 2007 and 2011. Among them, the medical charts from the hematological patients who presented with HMPV pneumonia were reviewed. RESULTS: Among the 54 patients with several underlying hematological conditions who were positive for HMPV, we found 13 cases of HMPV pneumonias. HMPV could be the cause of pneumonia as a single pathogen without associated upper respiratory infection. Centrilobular nodules were constant on lung computed tomography scans. No patients died despite the absence of administration of antiviral treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide further insights in the diagnosis and management of HMPV pneumonias in this setting.