Clinician-Reported Respiratory Viral Testing and Intended Management of Community-Acquired Respiratory Viral Infections in Haematology and Haematopoietic Cell Transplantation: An International Exploratory Survey

Abstract

Background: Community-acquired respiratory viruses (CARVs) cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients with haematological malignancies and those undergoing haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Despite this, clinical management remains variable. This study evaluated clinicians’ awareness, diagnostic practices, and treatment approaches to major respiratory viruses in this high-risk population. Methods: An international electronic survey using non-probability convenience sampling was conducted among haematology, oncology, intensive care and emergency medicine physicians. Four real-life clinical cases were converted into standardised vignettes covering human metapneumovirus (HMPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) and influenza A virus (IAV). The questionnaire assessed reported testing strategies and intended management, including antiviral and immunoprophylactic interventions. Responses were analysed descriptively; no inferential between-group comparisons were performed. Results: Ninety-eight clinicians from 26 countries responded. Diagnostic approaches, including testing indications and panel selection, varied among respondents. For HMPV and HPIV, respondents mainly reported supportive care, immunoglobulin replacement, and infection-control measures in the absence of established pathogen-specific interventions. RSV practice was heterogeneous: systemic ribavirin was considered by 45/96 (46.9%) respondents, including 34/96 (35.4%) when guided by an immunodeficiency score. IAV management was more consistent, with reported availability of vaccination and antiviral therapy and frequent use of post-exposure prophylaxis. Conclusions: Within this international convenience sample, clinicians reported variation in respiratory viral testing and in how results informed intended management. Because sampling was non-probability-based and respondent groups were small and unevenly distributed, the findings should not be interpreted as representative estimates of international practice. IAV testing was most consistently linked to established treatment and prevention, RSV showed greater therapeutic and preventive heterogeneity, and HMPV/HPIV testing primarily informed infection control, monitoring and antimicrobial stewardship.