Burden of community-acquired respiratory virus infections and impact on cancer treatment at a tertiary care cancer center in Japan.

AIM: To clarify the burden of community-acquired respiratory virus (CRV) other than SARS-CoV-2 infections in adult patients with cancer and their impact on cancer treatment.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We retrospectively examined positive cases using multiplex respiratory polymerase chain reaction panel tests at a Japanese tertiary-care cancer center. From April 2023 to March 2024, a total of 1629 tests were performed on 1068 patients.

RESULTS

CRV other than SARS-CoV-2 were identified in 128 cases. These include rhinovirus/enterovirus (47 cases), parainfluenza virus (22 cases), human coronavirus (18 cases), Respiratory syncytial virus (15 cases), influenza A (14 cases), and human metapneumovirus (10 cases). Pneumonia was observed in 19 (15.7 %) patients. In 38 patients (31.4 %), cancer treatment was postponed due to CRV other than SARS-CoV-2 infection.

CONCLUSION

CRV other than SARS-CoV-2infections contribute to delays in cancer treatment and are frequently associated with pneumonia. To ensure the safe continuation of cancer treatment, it is imperative to provide patients with appropriate infection control guidance and perform respiratory panel tests for an accurate diagnosis.