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Human metapneumovirus prevalence and molecular epidemiology in respiratory outbreaks in Ontario, Canada

Alefiya Neemuchwala1, Venkata R Duvvuri, Alex Marchand-Austin

  • 1Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Journal of Medical Virology
|August 6, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) caused 8.5% of respiratory outbreaks in Ontario, Canada, primarily affecting adults over 65. Genotype A2b was the most prevalent, indicating a potential shift from previously reported subtypes.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a known cause of respiratory illness outbreaks in adults, particularly the elderly.
  • Understanding hMPV circulation and genetic diversity is crucial for public health interventions and vaccine development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document hMPV-caused respiratory outbreaks in Ontario, Canada, between April 2009 and February 2012.
  • To identify the specific hMPV genotypes circulating during this period, with a focus on outbreaks in adults over 65.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 123 anonymized clinical specimens from 51 respiratory outbreaks.
  • Nucleic acid extraction, PCR amplification, and Sanger sequencing of hMPV F and G genes.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to determine hMPV genotypes.

Main Results:

  • hMPV was responsible for 195 (8.5%) of 2,292 investigated respiratory outbreaks.
  • Genotype A2b was the predominant strain, found in 54.9% of typed hMPV outbreaks.
  • A shift in prevalent genotypes was observed, with the absence of previously reported subtype A1.

Conclusions:

  • Genotype A2b is currently the most prevalent hMPV strain in Ontario, Canada, impacting adult populations.
  • The observed shift in hMPV genotypes may have implications for disease severity and vaccine efficacy.
  • Routine hMPV testing should be integrated into respiratory outbreak investigations.
Keywords:
long-term care facilitymolecular typingrespiratory virus

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