Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 20, 2026

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
09:01

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Published on: December 10, 2013

Early reinfection with human metapneumovirus in an infant

Takashi Ebihara1, Rika Endo, Nobuhisa Ishiguro

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|December 8, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) causes respiratory illness, and reinfection is common. This study details an infant infected with two distinct hMPV strains within one month, highlighting rapid reinfection potential.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric Respiratory Illness

Background:

  • Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a significant cause of acute respiratory tract infections in all age groups.
  • Reinfection with hMPV is recognized as a common occurrence throughout an individual's lifespan.
  • Understanding hMPV epidemiology is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Observation:

  • This report documents a rare case of a single infant experiencing dual hMPV infections.
  • The infant was confirmed to be infected with two genetically distinct hMPV strains.
  • These sequential infections occurred within a remarkably short timeframe of one month.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrates the possibility of rapid, sequential infections with different hMPV strains in young children.
  • This suggests that prior infection does not confer complete or long-lasting immunity against subsequent hMPV encounters.
  • Genetic analysis of the viral strains is essential for identifying distinct infection events.

Implications:

  • Frequent reinfection with hMPV, even within a short period, may necessitate updated vaccination and therapeutic approaches.
  • The findings underscore the need for continued surveillance of hMPV to track strain diversity and evolution.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the immunological mechanisms underlying rapid hMPV reinfection in infants.

More Related Videos

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates05:53

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates

Published on: July 6, 2013

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice10:47

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice

Published on: April 14, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...