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Population-based incidence of human metapneumovirus infection among hospitalized children

John V Williams1, Kathryn M Edwards, Geoffrey A Weinberg

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Schoolof Medicine, and Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2581, USA. john.williams@vanderbilt.edu

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|May 8, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) causes significant acute respiratory illness (ARI) in young children, leading to hospitalizations. This study establishes incidence rates and clinical features of HMPV-associated ARI in children under five.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Public Health Surveillance

Background:

  • Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a significant cause of acute respiratory illness (ARI) in children.
  • Established population-based incidence rates and comprehensive clinical data for HMPV disease are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the population-based incidence rates of HMPV infection in children hospitalized with ARI or fever.
  • To characterize the clinical presentation and common diagnoses associated with HMPV infection in young children.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective population-based surveillance was conducted over two years in two US counties.
  • Children under five hospitalized with ARI or fever had nasal and throat specimens tested for HMPV using real-time RT-PCR.
  • HMPV strains were genotyped, and all four subgroups were detected.

Main Results:

  • HMPV was detected in 3.8% of 1104 children hospitalized with ARI or fever.
  • The annual HMPV hospitalization rate was 1.2 per 1000 children under five, highest in infants (0-5 months).
  • Common diagnoses included bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and asthma; HMPV activity peaked from March to May.

Conclusions:

  • HMPV is a common cause of pediatric hospitalization for respiratory illness, with incidence comparable to influenza and parainfluenza virus 3.
  • The findings provide crucial data on HMPV epidemiology and clinical impact in young children.
  • Understanding HMPV incidence and seasonality is vital for public health planning and intervention strategies.

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