Incidence, molecular epidemiology and clinical presentations of human metapneumovirus; assessment of its importance as a diagnostic screening target

Gaunt, E., McWilliam-Leitch, E.C., Templeton, K. and Simmonds, P. (2009) Incidence, molecular epidemiology and clinical presentations of human metapneumovirus; assessment of its importance as a diagnostic screening target. Journal of Clinical Virology, 46(4), pp. 318-324. (doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2009.09.016)

Abstract

Background: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a recently discovered human paramyxovirus associated with a spectrum of respiratory symptoms from the common cold to pneumonia and bronchiolitis. <p/>Objectives: To assess the clinical significance and epidemiology of HMPV, standardized comparison of frequencies of infection, age profiles and disease associations were made with other respiratory viruses in Scotland. <p/>Study design: 7091 respiratory samples collected in Scotland between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2008 from 4282 individuals were screened by multiplex RT-PCR for respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), adenovirus (AdV), parainfluenzaviruses 1–3 (PIV-1, -2 and -3), influenza A and B and by nested RT-PCR for HMPV. <p/>Results: HMPV was the fifth most prevalent virus (2.0% of samples), found predominantly in young children in winter months. In the 2006–2007 respiratory season, 70% of HMPV isolates were genotype A, but a switch to predominantly type B infections occurred next winter. For samples with information on clinical presentations, 26% of HMPV infections were from subjects with lower respiratory tract presentations, lower than recorded for HRSV, but similar to adenovirus, parainfluenza viruses and influenza viruses A and B. Around 13% of HMPV infections were associated with upper respiratory tract symptoms or disease, comparable with other respiratory virus infections. <p/>Conclusions: Numerically and through its association with respiratory disease, HMPV represents a diagnostically significant target that should be included in PCR-based routine screening of respiratory samples. Understanding the biological basis of observed rapid turnover of HMPV variants, including the observed HMPV genotype change between respiratory seasons requires further longitudinal studies.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Leitch, Dr Carol
• Authors: Gaunt, E., McWilliam-Leitch, E.C., Templeton, K., and Simmonds, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Clinical Virology
• ISSN: 1386-6532