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Comparative Study
. 2003 Jun;9(6):634-40.
doi: 10.3201/eid0906.030017.

Human metapneumovirus infections in hospitalized children

Guy Boivin  1 , Gaston De Serres, Stéphanie Côté, Rodica Gilca, Yacine Abed, Louis Rochette, Michel G Bergeron, Pierre Déry
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Human metapneumovirus infections in hospitalized children

Guy Boivin et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2003 Jun.

Abstract

We evaluated the percentage of hospitalizations for acute respiratory tract infections in children < or =3 years of age attributable to human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and other respiratory viruses in a prospective study during winter and spring 2002. We used real-time polymerase chain assays and other conventional diagnostic methods to detect HMPV, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), and influenza viruses in nasopharyngeal aspirates of children. HMPV was detected in 12 (6%) of the 208 children hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections, HRSV in 118 (57%), and influenza A in 49 (24%). Bronchiolitis was diagnosed in 8 (68%) and pneumonitis in 2 (17%) of HMPV-infected children; of those with HRSV infection, bronchiolitiss was diagnosed in 99 (84%) and pneumonitis in 30 (25%). None of the HMPV-infected children was admitted to an intensive-care unit, whereas 15% of those with HRSV or influenza A infections were admitted. HMPV is an important cause of illness in young children with a similar, although less severe, clinical presentation to that of HRSV.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age at admission of children hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections caused by human metapneumovirus (HMPV) (A), human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) (B), and influenza A (C) as well as for the whole study population (D).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Biweekly distribution of virologically confirmed cases with acute respiratory tract infections and their controls.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Biweekly distribution of virologically confirmed human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases from the prospective pediatric study (study group) and from the general population as retrospectively identified in the Québec City Regional Virology Laboratory (RVL).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Phylogenetic tree showing sequence analysis of the F (fusion) gene of 12 human metapneumovirus (HMPV) strains detected in 2002 as part of this study and of the prototype strain from the Netherlands (GenBank accession no. af371337) as well as from a Canadian strain (HMPV 35) isolated in 2001.
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