Epidemiological characteristics and outcome of viral respiratory tract infections in the first year after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Adverse outcomes of viral respiratory tract infections (RTI) have been reported in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Using a laboratory-developed multiparameter PCR in a consecutive series of 242 patients, we found the highest incidence of viral RTI in the pre-engraftment phase. The occurrence of multiple episodes of viral RTI or viral pneumonia was significantly associated with a higher hazard of non-relapse mortality in the first year after transplantation. We observed a 90-day mortality of 19.7% after viral RTI, which was significantly different between patient groups stratified according to the ISI score.