The Silent Threat of Human Metapneumovirus: Clinical Challenges and Diagnostic Insights from a Severe Pneumonia Case
Background: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory pathogen that has gained increasing recognition due to advancements in molecular diagnostic tools, which have improved its detection and characterization. While severe disease manifestations are traditionally associated with pediatric, elderl...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Rubens Carmo Costa-Filho Felipe Saddy João Luiz Ferreira Costa Leandro Reis Tavares Hugo Caire Castro Faria Neto |
| author_facet | Rubens Carmo Costa-Filho Felipe Saddy João Luiz Ferreira Costa Leandro Reis Tavares Hugo Caire Castro Faria Neto |
| author_sort | Rubens Carmo Costa-Filho |
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| description | Background: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory pathogen that has gained increasing recognition due to advancements in molecular diagnostic tools, which have improved its detection and characterization. While severe disease manifestations are traditionally associated with pediatric, elderly, or immunocompromised patients, hMPV-related pneumonia in immunocompetent adults remains underexplored. Methods: This case report describes a 68-year-old male who developed severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by hMPV despite being immunocompetent and having no significant comorbidities. The diagnosis was confirmed via multiplex RT-PCR, excluding bacterial and viral coinfections. Laboratory and imaging findings supported a viral etiology, while empirical antibiotics were initially prescribed due to diagnostic uncertainty. Results: The patient presented with respiratory symptoms that progressed to hypoxia, productive cough, and fatigue, requiring hospitalization. Imaging revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities and consolidations typical of viral pneumonia. Molecular diagnostics enabled accurate pathogen identification and guiding appropriate management, and the patient fully recovered with supportive care. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of rapid molecular diagnostics for hMPV, reducing unnecessary antibiotics and enhancing management. Routine incorporation of hMPV testing into clinical protocols could improve the diagnosis and resource use. The development of vaccines, such as the IVX-A12 in phase II trials, offers hope for targeted prevention, underscoring the need for further research and therapeutic innovations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7ff2b139d7b942ca94e2ca6410d07a2f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-7ff2b139d7b942ca94e2ca6410d07a2f2025-01-24T13:42:32ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-01-011317310.3390/microorganisms13010073The Silent Threat of Human Metapneumovirus: Clinical Challenges and Diagnostic Insights from a Severe Pneumonia CaseRubens Carmo Costa-Filho0Felipe Saddy1João Luiz Ferreira Costa2Leandro Reis Tavares3Hugo Caire Castro Faria Neto4Immunopharmacology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-361, RJ, BrazilIntensive Care Unit, Pró-Cardíaco Hospital, Rio de Janeiro 21040-361, RJ, BrazilIntensive Care Unit, Pró-Cardíaco Hospital, Rio de Janeiro 21040-361, RJ, BrazilD’Or Institute Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro 21040-361, RJ, BrazilImmunopharmacology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-361, RJ, BrazilBackground: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory pathogen that has gained increasing recognition due to advancements in molecular diagnostic tools, which have improved its detection and characterization. While severe disease manifestations are traditionally associated with pediatric, elderly, or immunocompromised patients, hMPV-related pneumonia in immunocompetent adults remains underexplored. Methods: This case report describes a 68-year-old male who developed severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by hMPV despite being immunocompetent and having no significant comorbidities. The diagnosis was confirmed via multiplex RT-PCR, excluding bacterial and viral coinfections. Laboratory and imaging findings supported a viral etiology, while empirical antibiotics were initially prescribed due to diagnostic uncertainty. Results: The patient presented with respiratory symptoms that progressed to hypoxia, productive cough, and fatigue, requiring hospitalization. Imaging revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities and consolidations typical of viral pneumonia. Molecular diagnostics enabled accurate pathogen identification and guiding appropriate management, and the patient fully recovered with supportive care. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of rapid molecular diagnostics for hMPV, reducing unnecessary antibiotics and enhancing management. Routine incorporation of hMPV testing into clinical protocols could improve the diagnosis and resource use. The development of vaccines, such as the IVX-A12 in phase II trials, offers hope for targeted prevention, underscoring the need for further research and therapeutic innovations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/73human metapneumovirus (hMPV)community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)rapid molecular diagnosticsimmunocompetent adultsemerging respiratory viruses |
| spellingShingle | Rubens Carmo Costa-Filho Felipe Saddy João Luiz Ferreira Costa Leandro Reis Tavares Hugo Caire Castro Faria Neto The Silent Threat of Human Metapneumovirus: Clinical Challenges and Diagnostic Insights from a Severe Pneumonia Case Microorganisms human metapneumovirus (hMPV) community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) rapid molecular diagnostics immunocompetent adults emerging respiratory viruses |
| title | The Silent Threat of Human Metapneumovirus: Clinical Challenges and Diagnostic Insights from a Severe Pneumonia Case |
| title_full | The Silent Threat of Human Metapneumovirus: Clinical Challenges and Diagnostic Insights from a Severe Pneumonia Case |
| title_fullStr | The Silent Threat of Human Metapneumovirus: Clinical Challenges and Diagnostic Insights from a Severe Pneumonia Case |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Silent Threat of Human Metapneumovirus: Clinical Challenges and Diagnostic Insights from a Severe Pneumonia Case |
| title_short | The Silent Threat of Human Metapneumovirus: Clinical Challenges and Diagnostic Insights from a Severe Pneumonia Case |
| title_sort | silent threat of human metapneumovirus clinical challenges and diagnostic insights from a severe pneumonia case |
| topic | human metapneumovirus (hMPV) community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) rapid molecular diagnostics immunocompetent adults emerging respiratory viruses |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/73 |
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