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Human metapneumovirus, Peru

Gregory C Gray1, Ana W Capuano, Sharon F Setterquist

  • 1University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. gregory-gray@uiowa.edu

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|February 24, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was detected in 2.3% of patients with influenzalike illness in Peru and Argentina between 2002-2003. Four of the six HMPV isolates belonged to the uncommon B1 genotype.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory pathogen.
  • Influenzalike illness (ILI) is common, with various causative agents.
  • Understanding HMPV prevalence is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of HMPV in patients with ILI in Peru and Argentina.
  • To characterize the genotypes of detected HMPV strains.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 420 pharyngeal swab specimens.
  • Collected from Peruvian and Argentinean patients during 2002-2003.
  • Detection using multiple assays and isolation of HMPV.

Main Results:

  • Twelve specimens (2.3%) tested positive for HMPV.
  • Six HMPV isolates were successfully obtained.
  • Four of these isolates were identified as the uncommon B1 genotype.

Conclusions:

  • HMPV circulates in South America among patients presenting with ILI.
  • The detection of the B1 genotype highlights potential geographic variations in HMPV strain prevalence.

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