Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Adult RSV Infections: A Retrospective Analysis at University Hospital Center Zagreb (2022–2024)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of respiratory infections in adults, particularly among older adults and individuals with chronic diseases. While traditionally linked to pediatric populations, RSV’s impact on adults, especially the elderly, is increasingly recognized but rem...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Pathogens |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/3/284 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850280079139012608 |
|---|---|
| author | Antonio Perčinić Tara Vuletić Nina Lizzul Andrea Vukić Dugac Ana Gverić Grginić Irena Tabain Dragan Jurić Ana Budimir |
| author_facet | Antonio Perčinić Tara Vuletić Nina Lizzul Andrea Vukić Dugac Ana Gverić Grginić Irena Tabain Dragan Jurić Ana Budimir |
| author_sort | Antonio Perčinić |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of respiratory infections in adults, particularly among older adults and individuals with chronic diseases. While traditionally linked to pediatric populations, RSV’s impact on adults, especially the elderly, is increasingly recognized but remains understudied in many regions. This retrospective study, conducted at the University Hospital Center Zagreb from October 2022 to April 2024, is the first to analyze RSV-positive adults in Croatia. Using RT-PCR testing, we evaluated clinical and epidemiological characteristics in both hospitalized and outpatient populations, focusing on those aged > 65 years. Among 2631 tested individuals, the RSV prevalence was 5.25%, with older adults experiencing the most severe outcomes, including pneumonia, COPD exacerbation, and intensive care admissions. Seasonal analysis confirmed a winter peak in RSV cases, while chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were strongly associated with higher complication rates. These findings demonstrate that older adults with comorbidities bear the greatest burden of RSV infection, highlighting the need for the early identification of high-risk patients. By providing detailed insights into RSV-related outcomes in this population, this study supports the development of targeted prevention and management strategies to reduce the burden of RSV in vulnerable groups. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8dcaccb42c594db591cb68f9eaed861a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-8dcaccb42c594db591cb68f9eaed861a2025-08-20T01:48:53ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-03-0114328410.3390/pathogens14030284Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Adult RSV Infections: A Retrospective Analysis at University Hospital Center Zagreb (2022–2024)Antonio Perčinić0Tara Vuletić1Nina Lizzul2Andrea Vukić Dugac3Ana Gverić Grginić4Irena Tabain5Dragan Jurić6Ana Budimir7Department of Clinical Microbiology, Prevention, and Infection Control, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Respiratory Infections, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Clinical Microbiology, Prevention, and Infection Control, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Respiratory Infections, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaMicrobiological Service, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaMicrobiological Service, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaMicrobiological Service, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Clinical Microbiology, Prevention, and Infection Control, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of respiratory infections in adults, particularly among older adults and individuals with chronic diseases. While traditionally linked to pediatric populations, RSV’s impact on adults, especially the elderly, is increasingly recognized but remains understudied in many regions. This retrospective study, conducted at the University Hospital Center Zagreb from October 2022 to April 2024, is the first to analyze RSV-positive adults in Croatia. Using RT-PCR testing, we evaluated clinical and epidemiological characteristics in both hospitalized and outpatient populations, focusing on those aged > 65 years. Among 2631 tested individuals, the RSV prevalence was 5.25%, with older adults experiencing the most severe outcomes, including pneumonia, COPD exacerbation, and intensive care admissions. Seasonal analysis confirmed a winter peak in RSV cases, while chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were strongly associated with higher complication rates. These findings demonstrate that older adults with comorbidities bear the greatest burden of RSV infection, highlighting the need for the early identification of high-risk patients. By providing detailed insights into RSV-related outcomes in this population, this study supports the development of targeted prevention and management strategies to reduce the burden of RSV in vulnerable groups.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/3/284respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)adult RSV infectionschronic diseasesRSV complicationsRT-PCR |
| spellingShingle | Antonio Perčinić Tara Vuletić Nina Lizzul Andrea Vukić Dugac Ana Gverić Grginić Irena Tabain Dragan Jurić Ana Budimir Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Adult RSV Infections: A Retrospective Analysis at University Hospital Center Zagreb (2022–2024) Pathogens respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) adult RSV infections chronic diseases RSV complications RT-PCR |
| title | Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Adult RSV Infections: A Retrospective Analysis at University Hospital Center Zagreb (2022–2024) |
| title_full | Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Adult RSV Infections: A Retrospective Analysis at University Hospital Center Zagreb (2022–2024) |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Adult RSV Infections: A Retrospective Analysis at University Hospital Center Zagreb (2022–2024) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Adult RSV Infections: A Retrospective Analysis at University Hospital Center Zagreb (2022–2024) |
| title_short | Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Adult RSV Infections: A Retrospective Analysis at University Hospital Center Zagreb (2022–2024) |
| title_sort | epidemiological and clinical characteristics of adult rsv infections a retrospective analysis at university hospital center zagreb 2022 2024 |
| topic | respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) adult RSV infections chronic diseases RSV complications RT-PCR |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/3/284 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT antoniopercinic epidemiologicalandclinicalcharacteristicsofadultrsvinfectionsaretrospectiveanalysisatuniversityhospitalcenterzagreb20222024 AT taravuletic epidemiologicalandclinicalcharacteristicsofadultrsvinfectionsaretrospectiveanalysisatuniversityhospitalcenterzagreb20222024 AT ninalizzul epidemiologicalandclinicalcharacteristicsofadultrsvinfectionsaretrospectiveanalysisatuniversityhospitalcenterzagreb20222024 AT andreavukicdugac epidemiologicalandclinicalcharacteristicsofadultrsvinfectionsaretrospectiveanalysisatuniversityhospitalcenterzagreb20222024 AT anagvericgrginic epidemiologicalandclinicalcharacteristicsofadultrsvinfectionsaretrospectiveanalysisatuniversityhospitalcenterzagreb20222024 AT irenatabain epidemiologicalandclinicalcharacteristicsofadultrsvinfectionsaretrospectiveanalysisatuniversityhospitalcenterzagreb20222024 AT draganjuric epidemiologicalandclinicalcharacteristicsofadultrsvinfectionsaretrospectiveanalysisatuniversityhospitalcenterzagreb20222024 AT anabudimir epidemiologicalandclinicalcharacteristicsofadultrsvinfectionsaretrospectiveanalysisatuniversityhospitalcenterzagreb20222024 |