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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Mosquito-Associated Virus Isolation from Field-Collected Mosquitoes
Published on: August 31, 2022
Characterization of human metapneumoviruses isolated in Chongqing, China
Hua-wei Mao1, Xi-qiang Yang, Xiao-dong Zhao
1Department of Immunology, Children's Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 400014, China.
Insights
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a significant cause of respiratory infections in Chinese children. This study isolated six hMPV strains, revealing its prevalence and genetic characteristics in Chongqing.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an emerging respiratory pathogen in children.
- Limited data exists on hMPV isolation and epidemiology in Chinese children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize hMPV strains from hospitalized children in China.
- To understand the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of hMPV in the region.
Main Methods:
- Nasopharyngeal aspirates from 86 children were used for hMPV isolation.
- RT-PCR amplified N and F genes; sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree construction were performed.
Main Results:
- Six hMPV strains were isolated, with coughing and cyanosis as common symptoms.
- All isolates belonged to the A2 genetic sublineage with high nucleotide and amino acid homology in the F gene.
Conclusions:
- hMPV is an important viral agent causing acute respiratory tract infections in Chongqing, China.
- Phylogenetic and genetic insights are crucial for developing hMPV treatment and prophylaxis strategies.
Background:
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has recently been recognized as a notable respiratory pathogen in children. However, no isolation processes and only a limited understanding of hMPV epidemiology present in Chinese children are documented by far.
Methods:
Nasopharyngeal aspirates from 86 hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infections from December 2004 to July 2005 were inoculated onto Vero-E6 cells for hMPV isolation. Total RNA was extracted from infected cells with a cytopathic effect and then subjected to a RT-PCR amplification of the N and F genes of the hMPV. Nucleotide sequences of amplified F gene products were examined using a variation analysis with the MegAlign program and the phylogenetic tree construction using the neighbor-joining algorithm with a Phylip package.
Results:
Six strains of hMPV were isolated from the samples during winter, spring and summer. The most common symptoms were coughing and cyanosis, and the diagnoses were bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia, infantile asthma, or upper respiratory tract infection. All isolates were in the A2 genetic sublineage and shared a high percentage of homology with the F gene in the nucleotide (99.8%-100%) and amino acid (99.3%-100%) sequences.
Conclusions:
This report indicates that hMPV is an important viral agent for acute respiratory tract infections present in Chongqing, China. Knowledge of phylogeny and genes will benefit the studies on the treatment and prophylaxis of hMPV infection.
