Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 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

[Metapneumoviruses--the "youngest" pathogens of respiratory tract infections in human]

Romuald Carewicz1, Andrzej Chciałowski, Sławomir From

  • 1Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny, Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych, Pneumonologii i Alergologii CSK MON w Warszawie carewicz@neostrada.pl

Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski : Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego
|February 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) causes respiratory infections in all ages, leading to severe illness in vulnerable groups. This study details hMPV

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Respiratory Medicine

Context:

  • Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are globally prevalent, posing significant health burdens.
  • Lower respiratory infections are a major cause of mortality, hospitalization, and antibiotic use, particularly in immunocompromised individuals and those with chronic respiratory conditions.
  • Viruses like rhinoviruses, influenza, RSV, adenoviruses, and coronaviruses are primary culprits, with human metapneumovirus (hMPV) being a recently identified pathogen.

Purpose:

  • To describe the microbiological, epidemiological, and clinical features of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infections.
  • To highlight hMPV as a significant viral agent in respiratory illnesses across diverse patient populations.

Summary:

  • Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), identified in 2001, causes a spectrum of respiratory infections.
  • Infections range from mild upper respiratory inflammation to severe conditions like bronchiolitis, pneumonitis, and acute respiratory failure.
  • hMPV affects infants, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its characteristics.

Impact:

  • Provides crucial insights into hMPV, aiding in diagnosis and management of respiratory infections.
  • Informs public health strategies for controlling viral respiratory diseases.
  • Contributes to the understanding of viral pathogenesis and epidemiology in vulnerable populations.

More Related Videos

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness12:21

A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness

Published on: September 28, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
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...
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...
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...