High incidence of respiratory viruses in critically ill adult patients with respiratory failure

Laboratory testing for viral infections is not routinely performed in adult patients admitted to the ICU. However, reports indicate that viruses may contribute to significant morbidity and mortality and that viral-bacterial co-infection is associated with poor outcome in this particular patient population. The aim of the study was to document the incidence of respiratory virus infections in critically ill adult patients admitted to the ICU for acute respiratory failure.