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IMPACT OF NIRSEVIMAB ON RSV AND NON-RSV SEVERE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS IN HOSPITALIZED INFANTS
  • +6
  • Maria Luz García-García,
  • Patricia Alonso-López,
  • Sonia Alcolea,
  • Arroyas M,
  • Francisco Pozo,
  • Inmaculada Casas,
  • Rocío Sánchez-León,
  • Jara Hurtado-Gallego,
  • Cristina Calvo
Maria Luz García-García
Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Patricia Alonso-López
Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa
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Sonia Alcolea
Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa
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Arroyas M
Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa
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Francisco Pozo
Instituto de Salud Carlos III Campus de Majadahonda
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Inmaculada Casas
Instituto de Salud Carlos III Campus de Majadahonda
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Rocío Sánchez-León
Instituto de Investigacion Hospital Universitario La Paz
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Jara Hurtado-Gallego
Instituto de Investigacion Hospital Universitario La Paz
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Cristina Calvo
Instituto de Investigacion Hospital Universitario La Paz
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Abstract

Background Nirsevimab, a novel monoclonal antibody, provides passive immunity against RSV-infections in infants. In October/2023, Spain adopted immunization for children <6 months and those born during the epidemic season. Our main goal was to compare clinical, epidemiological and virological characteristics of respiratory infections in hospitalized infants before and after nirsevimab introduction. Methods. A prospective study was conducted in two Madrid hospitals during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 epidemic seasons. Infants <12 months admitted with lower respiratory tract infections were included. Clinical, epidemiological, and virological characteristics were compared based on admission before or after nirsevimab introduction and whether they received it. Results A total of 717 infants were included: 526 before October/2023 and 191 thereafter. Admissions from October-March 2023/24 decreased by 59% (95%CI:58.7-62.3%) compared to October-March 2022/23. ICU admissions dropped by 74% (95%CI:70.7-77.3%). Of those hospitalized after October/2023, 55(28.8%) received nirsevimab, with 11(20%) contracting RSV. The RSV-detection rate was lower after October/2023 (39% vs. 65%, P<0.001), as was the detection of other respiratory viruses, except rhinovirus and human bocavirus. Patients admitted after October/2023 were older (P=0.002), included fewer infants under 1 month (P=0.005), and had shorter hospital stays (P=0.001). For infants under 3 months, the likelihood of needing a stay > 5 days was 70% lower compared to those admitted before October/2023 (P<0.001;OR:0.39, 95%CI:0.22-0.66). Conclusions Nirsevimab has shown considerable effectiveness in shielding young infants from severe outcomes linked to RSV-infection. Furthermore, our study observed a notable decrease in hospitalizations for infections caused by other respiratory viruses after the introduction of nirsevimab.
22 Jul 2024Submitted to Influenza and other respiratory viruses
23 Jul 2024Submission Checks Completed
23 Jul 2024Assigned to Editor
21 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned