Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) associated pulmonary infections in immunocompromised adults--initial CT findings, disease course and comparison to respiratory-syncytial-virus (RSV) induced pulmonary infections.
OBJECTIVE
To describe computed tomography (CT)-imaging findings in human metapneumovirus (HMPV)-related pulmonary infection as well as their temporal course and to analyze resemblances/differences to pulmonary infection induced by the closely related respiratory-syncytial-virus (RSV) in immunocompromised patients.


METHODS
Chest-CT-scans of 10 HMPV PCR-positive patients experiencing pulmonary symptoms were evaluated retrospectively with respect to imaging findings and their distribution and results were then compared with data acquired in 13 patients with RSV pulmonary infection. Subsequently, we analyzed the course of chest-findings in HMPV patients.


RESULTS
In HMPV, 8/10 patients showed asymmetric pulmonary findings, whereas 13/13 patients with RSV-pneumonia presented more symmetrical bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Image analysis yielded in HMPV patients following results: ground-glass-opacity (GGO) (n=6), parenchymal airspace consolidations (n=5), ill-defined nodular-like centrilobular opacities (n=9), bronchial wall thickening (n=8). In comparison, results in RSV patients were: GGO (n=10), parenchymal airspace consolidations (n=9), ill-defined nodular-like centrilobular opacities (n=10), bronchial wall thickening (n=4). In the course of the disease, signs of acute HMPV interstitial pneumonia regressed transforming temporarily in part into findings compatible with bronchitis/bronchiolitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Early chest-CT findings in patients with HMPV-related pulmonary symptoms are compatible with asymmetric acute interstitial pneumonia accompanied by signs of bronchitis; the former transforming with time into bronchitis and bronchiolitis before they resolve. On the contrary, RSV-induced pulmonary infection exhibits mainly symmetric acute interstitial pneumonia.
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University, Hoppe-Seyler-Str.3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. roland.syha@med.uni-tuebingen.de
R
R
Syha
R
R
Beck
J
J
Hetzel
D
D
Ketelsen
U
U
Grosse
F
F
Springer
M
M
Horger
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D029121:Metapneumovirus; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*