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. 2024 Oct 23;169(11):229.
doi: 10.1007/s00705-024-06147-8.

Epidemiology of human metapneumovirus in Taiwan from 2013 to 2023

Su-Lin Yang  1 , Tai-Yuan Chiu  1 , Kun-Lin Tsai  1 , Chung-Hao Li  1 , Jyh-Yuan Yang  1 , Ming-Tsan Liu  1 , Fang-Tzy Wu  2
Affiliations

Epidemiology of human metapneumovirus in Taiwan from 2013 to 2023

Su-Lin Yang et al. Arch Virol. .

Abstract

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a member of the genus Metapneumovirus in the family Pneumoviridae of the order Mononegavirales that can cause upper and lower respiratory tract disease. This retrospective study describes the epidemiology of hMPV based on community viral surveillance results from sentinel sites across Taiwan from 2013 to 2023. A total of 114 hMPV strains were isolated and analyzed to assess viral evolution through sequencing of their fusion protein genes. This study revealed that hMPV cases occur almost year-round in Taiwan, with a peak occurring during spring (March to May). Of the 114 infected patients, 68.4% were children under 4 years old. The geographical distribution of hMPV positivity was highest in Penghu County, followed by Changhua County and Hsinchu County. The clinical symptoms of hMPV infection are nonspecific, with fever (56.1%), cough (44.7%), rhinorrhea (21.1%), and sore throat (14.9%) being the most common. However, a few patients also developed severe central nervous system symptoms (1.8%) or dyspnea (0.9%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed genetic diversity among the 114 isolated hMPV strains, with the A2 lineage (57.9%) being the most frequently observed, followed by the B2 lineage (33.3%), in the Taiwanese community from 2013 to 2023. In conclusion, hMPV causes a serious acute respiratory disease in Taiwan that should not be neglected. Further epidemiological surveillance and investigations of the clinical characteristics of hMPV should be performed continually for prevention and control of this virus.

Keywords: community-based surveillance; human metapneumovirus; paramyxovirus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Annual rates of detection of hMPV in Taiwan from 2013 to 2023
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Geographic distribution of hMPV in Taiwan from 2013–2023. The highest positivity was detected in Penghu County, followed by Changhua County and Hsinchu County
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Seasonal distribution of hMPV in Taiwan from 2013 to 2023. HMPV occurs throughout the year except in November
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The age distribution of infected hMPV patients. HMPV infection occurs mainly in individuals between 0 and 4 years of age
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Phylogenetic tree of 114 hMPV isolates based on partial fusion gene sequences. This tree illustrates the genetic relationships and clustering of hMPV strains isolated during 2013–2023 in the Taiwanese community. For sequences shared by more than three identical hMPV strains from the same year, a representative strain was used in the analysis, and the number of identical strains is indicated for clarity
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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