https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2025.3410

Clinical features of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza infections in hospitalized adults across three Italian regions

Early Access
Submitted: February 5, 2025
Accepted: March 6, 2025
Published: April 1, 2025
Respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, respiratory tract infections, hospitalization, comorbidity
Abstract Views: 300
PDF_EARLY VIEW: 119
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: 10
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Authors

Tommaso Bigoni
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1970-9653
Respiratory Unit, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
Franco Alfano
Respiratory Unit, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
Marta Vicentini
GlaxoSmithKline, Verona, Italy.
Maria João Fonseca
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0566-3455
GlaxoSmithKline, Lisbon, Portugal.
Elisa Turriani
GlaxoSmithKline, Wavre, Belgium.
Elisa Vian
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4315-6342
Microbiology Unit, Cà Foncello Hospital, AULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy.
Micaela Romagnoli
Respiratory Unit, Cà Foncello Hospital, AULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy.
Massimiliano Beccaria
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0901-4981
Respiratory Unit, ASST Mantua, Italy.
Luca Pontalto
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8403-9865
Respiratory Unit, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
Michele Schincaglia
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8737-6555
Respiratory Unit, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
Federico Baraldi
Respiratory Unit, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
Alberto Papi
ppa@unife.it
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6924-4500
Respiratory Unit, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are important causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly transmissible viral pathogen that is associated with ARIs, with both RSV and influenza virus infections being leading causes of hospitalization in older (especially frail) individuals. However, prospectively collected data on the incidence of RSV infection are scarce. This prospective study sought to estimate the prevalence of and characterize RSV and influenza virus infection in hospitalized patients. Adult patients (≥18 years of age) who were admitted to the respiratory ward of three major hospitals in northern Italy were included in the study and, therefore, had a nasal swab and underwent routine clinical, laboratory, and imaging testing. The primary objective was to estimate the prevalence of influenza virus and RSV infection in these patients. A total of 246 patients were recruited, 36 of whom had a viral or bacterial respiratory infection. Of these, 9 (3.7% of the total included patients or 25.0% of those with any infection) tested positive for the influenza virus, 5 (55.6%) of whom developed acute respiratory failure, with one dying by 3 months post-discharge. A further 3 patients (1.2% of the total included patients or 8.3% of those with any infection) tested positive for RSV. The three patients with RSV had a greater level of dyspnea and greater severity than those with any infection, and all had pneumonia and developed acute respiratory failure, with one dying during hospitalization. Influenza and RSV infections were identified in patients hospitalized in respiratory wards in Northern Italy. The severe nature of the disease in these patients, including a high rate of pneumonia, emphasizes the importance of preventative measures to protect this vulnerable population and, in particular, vaccination.

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Ethics Approval

The study was approved by the independent ethics committees at each institution (Ferrara, Comitato Etico Area Vasta Emilia Centro on 13th September 2023; Mantua, Comitato Etico Territoriale Lombardia 4, on 19th December 2023; Treviso, Comitato Etico Territoriale Area Nord Veneto, on 20th March 2024).

How to Cite

Bigoni, Tommaso, Franco Alfano, Marta Vicentini, Maria João Fonseca, Elisa Turriani, Elisa Vian, Micaela Romagnoli, et al. 2025. “Clinical Features of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Infections in Hospitalized Adults across Three Italian Regions”. Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease, April. https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2025.3410.
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