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. 2004 Apr 15;189(8):1388-96.
doi: 10.1086/382482. Epub 2004 Apr 2.

A 1-year experience with human metapneumovirus in children aged <5 years

Frank Esper  1 , Richard A Martinello, Derek Boucher, Carla Weibel, David Ferguson, Marie L Landry, Jeffrey S Kahn
Affiliations

A 1-year experience with human metapneumovirus in children aged <5 years

Frank Esper et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

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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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Age distribution of human metapneumovirus-positive children
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Phylogenetic analysis of human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Sequences of the hMPV F gene from isolates originating from Connecticut, The Netherlands, Australia, and Canada were used to construct a phylogenetic tree. Bootstrap values are displayed at major branch points. A representative set of Connecticut sequences is displayed. Genotypes were arbitrarily labeled groups A and B. The dotted line separates group A from group B viruses.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Distribution of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and other respiratory viruses in New Haven, Connecticut. A, Weekly distribution of hMPV genotypes from 1 November 2001 to 31 October 2002. Genotype assignments are indicated in figure 2. Every other week is marked for figure clarity. B, Monthly distribution of hMPV, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A and B, and human parainfluenza viruses 1–3. The percentage of total positive specimens for each virus during the 1-year period is indicated.
Table 1.
Table 1.
Respiratory specimens tested for human metapneumovirus (hMPV) from November 2001 to October 2002.
Table 2.
Table 2.
Clinical features associated with human metapneumovirus (hMPV).
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References

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