A case of human metapneumovirus infection presenting as severe pneumonia in an adult

Abstract

A 72-year-old woman presented with dyspnea and was referred to our hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia at a previous clinic. Imaging revealed bilateral pneumonia, and she was admitted to the intensive care unit due to respiratory failure. A nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for human metapneumovirus (hMPV) by multiplex PCR and rapid antigen testing. Sputum culture yielded no significant bacterial pathogens, and a diagnosis of severe pneumonia caused by hMPV was made. The patient improved with steroid pulse therapy and supportive care under mechanical ventilation. Reports of severe community-acquired pneumonia due to hMPV in adults are rare, and we report this valuable case.