A 1-Year Experience with Human Metapneumovirus in Children Aged <5 Years.
Esper, Frank 1; Martinello, Richard A. 1,2; Boucher, Derek 3; Weibel, Carla 1; Ferguson, David 4; Landry, Marie L. 4; Kahn, Jeffrey S. 1,3
[Article] Journal of Infectious Diseases. 189(8):1388-1396, April 15, 2004.

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: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a recently discovered respiratory pathogen. We tested respiratory specimens for the presence of hMPV by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. These specimens were obtained over a 1-year period from children aged <5 years and had negative results by the direct fluorescent antibody test for respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A and B, parainfluenza viruses 1-3, and adenovirus. Overall, 54 (8.1%) of 668 individuals tested positive for hMPV. During March and April of the study period, hMPV was detected in 17.6% and 25.0% of specimens tested, respectively. At least 2 distinct genotypes of hMPV circulated during the study period. Fever, tachypnea, cough, rhinorrhea, retractions of the chest wall, and wheezing were common findings. Of hMPV-positive children, 60.4% were aged <12 months. hMPV accounted for a small but significant proportion of respiratory-tract disease in infants and children.

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