Respiratory Tract Infections Due to Human Metapneumovirus in Immunocompromised Children

Chu, Helen Y.; Renaud, Christian; Ficken, Elle; Thomson, Blythe; Kuypers, Jane; Englund, Janet A.

Screening of all positive laboratory results for hMPV by both direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) and real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to identify patients between the ages of newborn to 19 years who were diagnosed at Seattle Children's Hospital in Seattle, WA during the years 2006-2010. Of 368 total patients with positive hMPV laboratory results, we performed retrospective chart review to identify a subset of 55 patients with immunocompromised conditions. We defined an immunocompromised condition as presence of hematologic malignancy, solid tumor, rheumatologic disease receiving immunosuppressive therapy, solid organ transplant, primary immunodeficiency, receipt of chronic immunosuppressive therapy, or receipt of a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Using electronic chart review, we abstracted sociodemographic variables, symptoms, laboratory and radiologic values, clinical course, and treatment outcomes for these patients.