Human Metapneumovirus in infants and young children in Thailand with lower respiratory tract infections;
molecular characteristics and clinical presentations.

Rujipat Samransamruajkit MD a
Wanida Thanasugarn, M sc. b
Nuanchan Prapphal, MD a
Apiradee Theamboonlers, Bsc b
Yong Poovorawan.MD b

Abstract

       Two hundred and thirty six nasopharyngeal secretions (NPs) were lower respiratory tract infection collected from infants and children presenting with ALRI at Chulalongkorn hospital between March 2001 and September 2003 with 220 samples found eligible for analysis. We employed reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) applying specific primers to identify hMPV and hRSV and also performed  phylogenetic analysis of hMPV N, F and L. Of the 220 infants and young children tested, positive results were found in 12 (5.4%) and  118 (54%) specimens for hMPV and hRSV, respectively. The mean age of children with hMPV infections was 22?11 months. They mostly presented with fever with cough (100%) and upper respiratory tract symptoms (83%). Eleven of twelve infants were hospitalized. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis identified 2 distinct lineages of hMPV. Our results demonstrated the incidence of hMPV at 5.4% although the incidence in Thailand may be higher, as asymptomatic individuals were not tested.

Article Summary line

       Human metapneumovirus was a new respiratory tract virus and accounted for significant morbidity and mortality especially in young children worldwide. We demonstrated the incidence, characterization and clinical aspects of hMPV infection in Thailand.