Human Metapneumovirus Infections in Hospitalized Children1

TLDR

The study evaluated the proportion of hospitalizations for acute respiratory tract infections in children under 3 years attributable to HMPV and other viruses during winter and spring 2002. Researchers employed real‑time PCR and conventional diagnostics on nasopharyngeal aspirates to detect HMPV, HRSV, and influenza viruses. HMPV was identified in 6% of 208 hospitalized children, compared with 57% for HRSV and 24% for influenza A; it caused bronchiolitis in 68% and pneumonitis in 17% of cases, none required ICU admission, whereas 15% of HRSV or influenza A cases did, indicating HMPV is an important but less severe pathogen in young children.

Abstract

Abstract We evaluated the percentage of hospitalizations for acute respiratory tract infections in children <3 years of age attributable to human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and other respiratory viruses in a prospective study during winter and spring 2002. We used real-time polymerase chain assays and other conventional diagnostic methods to detect HMPV, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), and influenza viruses in nasopharyngeal aspirates of children. HMPV was detected in 12 (6%) of the 208 children hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections, HRSV in 118 (57%), and influenza A in 49 (24%). Bronchiolitis was diagnosed in 8 (68%) and pneumonitis in 2 (17%) of HMPV-infected children; of those with HRSV infection, pneumonitis was diagnosed in 99 (84%) and bronchiolitis in 30 (25%). None of the HMPV-infected children was admitted to an intensive-care unit, whereas 15% of those with HRSV or influenza A infections were admitted. HMPV is an important cause of illness in young children with a similar, although less severe, clinical presentation to that of HRSV.