Human metapneumovirus infection among children hospitalized with acute respiratory illness

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Published on: February 23, 2014

James A Mullins1, Dean D Erdman, Geoffrey A Weinberg

  • 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|June 18, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) causes respiratory illness in children as severe as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Though less common than RSV, HMPV infection severity warrants further investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Virology
  • Respiratory health

Background:

  • Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is increasingly recognized for causing respiratory illness in children.
  • Previous studies suggest HMPV infection severity can be comparable to that of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the clinical severity and incidence of HMPV infections with RSV and other common respiratory viruses in hospitalized children.
  • To assess the demographic characteristics of children infected with HMPV.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study analyzed 668 banked swab specimens from inpatient children with acute respiratory illness in two U.S. cities.
  • Specimens were tested for HMPV, RSV, influenza, and parainfluenza viruses using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays.

Main Results:

  • HMPV was detected in 3.9% of cases, RSV in 18.7%, parainfluenza in 6.7%, and influenza in 3.4%.
  • HMPV-positive children were older than RSV-positive children.
  • Clinical severity, including medical intensive care and supplemental oxygen use, was similar between HMPV and RSV infections.

Conclusions:

  • HMPV infection in hospitalized children presents a clinical disease severity comparable to RSV infection.
  • Despite a lower incidence than RSV, HMPV represents a significant cause of severe respiratory illness in pediatric populations.
  • Further research is necessary to fully understand the clinical impact and characteristics of HMPV infections.

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