A case of Severe Primary Pneumonia Caused by Human Metapneumovirus Infection Complicated by Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

A woman in her 40s with a history of cough and fever was admitted to our hospital with hypoxia and bilateral infiltrative opacities on the chest radiograph. Diagnostic tests on upper respiratory tract and endobronchial sputum specimens were positive for human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Although worsening hypoxia warranted endotracheal intubation on day 2, the patient gradually improved with supportive treatment. On day 9, the endobronchial sputum specimens turned negative for hMPV. Thereafter, after the patient was weaned from the respirator, the respiratory failure worsened again, and she developed takotsubo cardiomyopathy as a complication. With continued supportive care, however, the respiratory failure and takotsubo cardiomyopathy resolved, and the patient was discharged on day 36. We have illustrated the detailed clinical course of severe hMPV-related pneumonia complicated by takotsubo cardiomyopathy in our patient, which we believe would be informative for physicians managing hMPV infection.