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[Respiratory infections due to metapneumovirus in hospitalized infants]

María L García García1, C Calvo Rey, F Martín del Valle

  • 1Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Severo Ochoa, Leganés, Madrid, Spain. marialuzgarcia@terra.es

Anales De Pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003)
|October 8, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Human metapneumovirus (hPMV) is a significant cause of respiratory illness in hospitalized infants, primarily leading to bronchiolitis and wheezing. This spring-prevalent virus frequently co-occurs with other respiratory infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Infections
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Context:

  • Human metapneumovirus (hPMV) is an emerging viral pathogen causing respiratory tract illness in children.
  • Hospitalized infants represent a vulnerable population for severe respiratory infections.

Purpose:

  • To determine the incidence of hPMV in hospitalized infants with respiratory tract infections.
  • To describe the clinical features and coinfection patterns associated with hPMV.

Summary:

  • A prospective study identified hPMV in 9% of 200 hospitalized infants with respiratory infections between March and April.
  • The most common diagnoses were recurrent wheezing (55.5%) and bronchiolitis (38.8%), with 33.3% of patients experiencing viral coinfections.

Impact:

  • Establishes hPMV as a significant contributor to infant respiratory illness, particularly during spring.
  • Highlights the frequent occurrence of coinfections, suggesting complex pathogen interactions in pediatric respiratory disease.

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