Usefulness of two new methods for diagnosing metapneumovirus infections in children

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is associated with acute respiratory tract infections, mainly in paediatric patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of two new commercial techniques available for the detection of hMPV in clinical samples from children: an enzyme immunoassay, hMPV EIA (Biotrin International Ltd), and a molecular assay, real-time RT-PCR (Pro hMPV Real Time Assay Kit; Prodesse). A total of 184 nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens from 173 children aged less than 5 years who were hospitalized with acute wheezing were analysed. Respiratory syncytial virus was detected in 27% of the samples, followed by influenza A virus (6%), parainfluenza virus (PIV)3 (2.2%), adenovirus (2%), PIV1 (1.1%), PIV2 (1.1%), and influenza B virus (0.5%). The presence of hMPV was tested in all samples, using the real-time RT-PCR and EIA. Real-time RT-PCR detected 13 hMPV-positive samples (8%), and EIA detected 17 (9.3%). When the EIA results were compared with those of real-time RT-PCR for the detection of hMPV, a good correlation was found (94%). A relatively low co-infection rate (15%) was observed in our patients. RT-PCR and EIA provide robust methods for the diagnosis of hMPV infection in children.     

2007—2011年长沙地区急性下呼吸道感染住院儿童人偏肺病毒的流行状况

目的了解人偏肺病毒（hMPV）在长沙地区急性下呼吸道感染住院患儿中的流行病学特点。方法收集2007年9月至2011年2月因急性下呼吸道感染在湖南省人民医院儿科医学中心住院儿童的鼻咽抽吸物（nasopharyngealaspirates,NPA）样本2613份,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应法（RT—PCR）检测hMPVM基因,将阳性PCR扩增产物测序并与GenBank中已知的hMPV参考株进行比对、分析。结果2613份标本中hMPV阳性检出数135例,检出率为5．2％,男女之间的检出率比较有统计学差异（x2=8．007,P=0．003）,hMPV阳性检出患儿的年龄以1岁以内多见（63．2％）。hMPV阳性检出率在春季呈现高峰,从检出季节分布显示A2b型主要在冬春季节流行,而B2型主要在春夏季流行。135例hMPV长沙株分为A型和B型两个主要的基因型,其中A2b亚型在2007--2008年为优势流行型别,2009--2010年A2b和B2型共同流行,B2亚型在2011年呈优势流行型别。135例hMPV检出阳性患儿中有66例（48．9％）存在混合病毒感染,其中与HBoV混合检出率最高。结论长沙地区部分儿童的急性下呼吸道感染与hMPV有关,且阳性检出患儿年龄主要集中在1岁以下,男多于女,主要流行季节在春季,A2b型和B2型优势基因型在长沙地区共同流行,与其他病毒混合检出率较高。     

南京地区儿童人偏肺病毒感染的流行病学及临床特征分析

目的了解南京地区儿童人偏肺病毒（hMPV）感染的流行病学特点及临床特征。方法收集2009年8月至2010年7月南京医科大学附属南京儿童医院住院及门诊呼吸道感染患儿的鼻咽抽吸物（NPA）及咽拭子（NPS）共642例,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应法（RT—PCR）检测hMPVM基因,将阳性PCR扩增产物进行测序、同源性和进化分析。结果642例标本中共检出hMPV阳性扩增产物35份,检出率为5．5％。系统进化分析显示南京地区hMPVB1型占51．4％,A2b型占31．4％。hMPV的发病高峰在4月份。其致呼吸道感染以1岁以内多见（71．4％）。35例hMPV感染患儿中有15例（42．8％）存在混合感染,其中与HRV的混合感染检出率最高。临床诊断以肺炎（17例,48．6％）最为常见。结论人偏肺病毒是南京地区儿童急性呼吸道感染的重要病原之一,该年度其优势流行型别为B1型,南京地区A、B两型hMPV感染患儿临床特征无明显差异。     

Characterization of human metapneumovirus infections in Israel

Respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Even with the advancement of diagnostic tools, the causative agent of 20 to 30% of upper respiratory tract infections go undiagnosed. Recently, a newly identified human respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), was discovered in young children in The Netherlands. To study the prevalence of hMPV infections in Israeli children, respiratory specimens from 388 hospitalized children less than 5 years of age were evaluated for the presence of hMPV RNA, which was present in 42 (10.8%) of these samples. All hMPV-positive samples were negative for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses (Flu) A and B, adenovirus, and parainfluenza viruses 1, 2, and 3. Conversely, hMPV RNA was not detected in 76 RSV-positive and 38 Flu A- or B-positive samples. Most hMPV activity was between the months February and April. Sequence analysis of 20 positive samples revealed that both of the hMPV genotypes (groups 1 and 2) have circulated in central Israel during the study period. Moreover, three of the four known hMPV subgroups (1A, 1B, and 2B) were detected among the tested samples. Seroprevalence of hMPV in 204 patients from the central part of Israel revealed that 100% of the children are hMPV seropositive by the age of 5 years old. We conclude that hMPV is a common respiratory pathogen in Israel, while mixed infections of hMPV with RSV or Flu in hospitalized children are apparently rare.     

Epidemiological and clinical features of hMPV, RSV and RVs infections in young children.

BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has recently been isolated from children with acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of hMPV infection need further investigation. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical features of hMPV, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinoviruses (RV) infections in children less than 3 years of age presenting to an emergency department with acute respiratory illness. STUDY DESIGN: From December 2002 to April 2004, all children under age three (n=931) admitted for acute respiratory illness to Dijon Hospital, France, were investigated for respiratory viruses in nasal washes. RESULTS: hMPV was detected in 6% of children (in 10.1% (n=38) the first winter and in 3.3% (n=17) the second winter); RSV was detected in 28.5% of the children, while rhinoviruses were found in 18.3%. Five hMPV-infected children had evidence of dual infection, two with RSV and three others with RV. The median age of the patients with hMPV infection was 6 months, and the main clinical symptoms were rhinorrhea (74.5%) and cough (67%). A lower tract disease occurred in 66% of hMPV-positive patients. Gene sequencing of hMPV isolates revealed co-circulation of the two major groups of hMPV during the study period; no difference in pathogenicity was found. There was no difference in the prevalence of bronchiolitis where hMPV, RSV or rhinoviruses were present. Asthma was found more often in hospitalized children with hMPV and rhinoviruses than among those with RSV (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide further evidence of the importance of hMPV as a pathogen associated with respiratory tract infection in children.     

Evidence of human metapneumovirus in children in Argentina

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a virus, which was first associated with acute lower respiratory infection in children but is detected currently in all age groups. Clinical symptoms are similar to those described for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, ranging from mild respiratory illness to severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children. To date, no cases of hMPV have been reported in Argentina. In this study, 440 respiratory samples obtained during the period 1998-2002 from children under 5 years old with acute respiratory infection were evaluated. Routine detection for RSV, adenovirus, influenza, and parainfluenza was undertaken by immunofluorescent assay. Of the samples negative for these viruses, only 100 were available. All these samples were tested for hMPV by RT-PCR using primers for the L gene. Eleven out of 100 (11%) respiratory samples were positive for hMPV by RT-PCR. A higher frequency of detection was observed in spring. hMPV was detected in all the years studied, except in 2001. Ten out of 11 children positive for hMPV were hospitalized. Median age was 5 months. Of seven patients, five (71%) required oxygen supplementation. The most frequent diagnosis was bronchiolitis (86%), sometimes accompanied by conjunctivitis and otitis media. The present study showed that hMPV was associated with acute lower respiratory infections in children in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This evidence strongly suggests that hMPV is a common pathogen with a wide geographical distribution, which should be included in the routine diagnosis of respiratory viruses in young children.     

Genotype variability of human metapneumovirus, South Korea

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a virus causing lower respiratory tract infections in children, is classified two major groups or genotypes of hMPV and recently existence of multiple lineages has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of genetic variation and circulation pattern of hMPV in Korea. Between January 2005 and April 2007, nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from 1,214 children <16 years of age hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infection at Sanggyepaik Hospital. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were tested for common respiratory pathogens using immunofluorescence or multiplex RT-PCR. RT-PCR was used to detect hMPV. The PCR products were purified and subsequently sequenced directly on both strands. hMPV was detected in 8.4% (102/1,214) of nasopharyngeal aspirates from children with acute respiratory tract infection. The 102 hMPV strains detected in this study were classified into two distinct F lineages, 87 strains belonged to genogroup A2 (A2a in 42, A2b in 45) and 15 strains to genogroup B. All hMPV subtypes except A1 co-circulated in Korean population. Although alternating predominance of hMPV subtypes from year to year could not be found, the changing predominance of sublineage A2a and A2b was demonstrated.     

人偏肺病毒感染住院儿童的临床特征及病毒基因特性分析

目的 了解急性呼吸道感染住院儿童中人偏肺病毒(hMPV)的感染情况、临床特征及人偏肺病毒基因特性.方法 对2006年2月至5月、2008年3月至4月及2008年9月至2009年2月收集的天津市儿童医院急性呼吸道感染住院儿童的310份鼻咽吸取物标本进行巢式PCR检测hMPV N基因片段,并对其中17株N基因片段进行序列测定,分析序列特征并绘制种系发生树.收集所有阳性患者的临床资料.同时采用多重PCR对N基因阳性标本进行其他常见呼吸道病毒的检测.结果 310份标本中共检出20份(6.5%)hMPV.hMPV阳性患儿的年龄中位数为15.0个月(16天～9岁),其中≤2岁患儿占90.0%(18/20).男性占60.0%(12/20).17株N基因种系发生树分析显示,11株为A2b亚型.20例hMPV阳性患儿的临床诊断均为支气管肺炎,占所有采集的肺炎患儿标本的7.1%(20/282),其临床症状以咳嗽、喘息、呼吸急促、发烧等常见.35%(7/20)需要重症监护,15%(3/20)需要吸氧治疗.平均住院时间为(11.9±4.8)d.A、B型间临床特征未见明显差别.hMPV无明显流行高峰.2例hMPV阳性患儿分别与腺病毒和鼻病毒混合感染.结论 hMPV可引起婴幼儿肺炎等严重疾病.天津地区流行的hMPV以A2b为优势流行型.     

Comparison of the seroprevalence of human metapneumovirus and human respiratory syncytial virus

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a virus that induces human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV)-like illnesses, ranging from upper respiratory tract infection to severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The 100 serum samples from children aged 1 month to 5 years were tested for the presence of hMPV and hRSV antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescence assay and a neutralizing-antibody assay, respectively. The seroprevalence of hMPV was significantly lower than that of hRSV in children over 4-months-old (43% vs. 60%, P < 0.025), and the difference was particularly notable between the ages of 4 months and 1 year (11% vs. 48%, P = 0.006). The results suggest that primary infection with hMPV occurs somewhat later than that with hRSV.     

Rapid and sensitive detection of metapneumovirus in clinical specimens by indirect fluorescence assay using a monoclonal antibody

Human metapneumovirus, with two known genotypes named A and B, is associated with mild respiratory symptoms to severe LRTI in children, high-risk adults and the elderly. Rapid and reliable methods of hMPV detection in clinical samples are essential to implement appropriate care, to better understand the pathology of hMPV and to determine its epidemiology. Respiratory samples from 1,386 patients collected during 2 consecutive years were screened for hMPV using indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) assay with a monoclonal antibody. Forty-three patients tested positive for hMPV by the IFA method. In parallel, the samples were examined with RT-PCR on the F gene. Of these, 41 specimens were RT-PCR positive. The remaining two IF positives were cultured and the cultures were subsequently RT-PCR positive. IFA showed therefore a sensitivity of 100%. No false positive signals were obtained with the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus or parainfluenza. When tested by RT-PCR, all IFA-negative samples (n = 204)were found negative. Therefore the specificity of IFA was 100%, IC95 [98-100%], with a negative predictive value of 100%. Based upon phylogenetic analysis of the fusion gene, both subgroups of hMPV were efficiently detected by IFA, and the viral aetiology could be given in 2 hr. These results demonstrate the potential usefulness of immunofluorescence with our monoclonal antibody for the rapid detection of hMPV in clinical specimens in the management of therapy and the control of nosocomial diffusion.     

Co-circulating genetically divergent A2 human metapneumovirus strains among children in southern Taiwan

An outbreak of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) among children in southern Taiwan in 2004 prompted the investigation of the molecular epidemiology of hMPV from September 2003 to August 2005. Respiratory specimens that were culture negative for a panel of respiratory viruses were examined for the presence of hMPV by RT-PCR. The results indicated that 59 out of 546 (10.8%) children were hMPV-positive. The majority of these hMPV-positive children were less than 2 years old (59.4%), females (61%), and inpatients (67.8%). Infections occurred throughout the year, but peaked during the spring and/or summer months. Sequence analysis of the fusion gene from the isolates revealed two phylogenetic groups with five possible lineages (A1, A2a/A2b, B1, and B2). Among these co-circulating strains, A2 strains were most frequently observed and demonstrated the greatest divergence. Deduced amino acid sequence analysis identified several variant amino acids specific to the A2 lineage. Lineage-specific amino acid substitutions were noted at aa233, aa286, aa312, aa348, and aa296. This study indicated that genetically divergent strains of hMPV which caused respiratory disease and hospitalization were circulating among children in Taiwan.