Critical illness after horizontal nosocomial transmission of human metapneumovirus in the haematology ward

doi:N/A

eISSN: None / ISSN: None

Netharland Journal of Critical Care

2012, Volume 16, Issue 1 : 22-25

Article

Critical illness after horizontal nosocomial transmission of human metapneumovirus in the haematology ward

van Dijk N.M.

Linssen C.F.M.

Bussink M.

Span L.F.R.

⁴

van Mook W.N.K.A.

⁵

Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands

Department of Anaesthesiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands

Department of Medical Microbiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands

⁴

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Haematology, University Medical Center Groningen, Netherlands

⁵

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands

Abstract

Since its discovery in the Netherlands in 2001, human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is mainly known for its association with severe upper and lower respiratory tract disease in very young, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Two critically ill patients are described to illustrate that a) haematologists and intensivists should be aware of the possibility of infection by this recently discovered pathogen and the severe respiratory tract disease manifestations it can cause in patients under their care; b) horizontal transmission between patients is possible on wards despite the presence of high-efficiency particulate aerosol (HEPA) filtration; and c) that although the exact incidence of hMPV infections in immunocompromised (critically ill) patients is as yet unknown, routine testing for hMPV may be considered in this population. © 2012, Nederlandse Vereniging voor Intensive Care. All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Critically ill

HMPV

Human metapneumovirus

Stem cell transplantation

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