Human metapneumovirus infections among children with acute respiratory infections seen in a large referral hospital in India

Abstract 

Background

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children <5 years of age in developing countries. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a newly described respiratory pathogen, has been identified as an important cause of ARI in young children.

Objectives

The objective was to describe the prevalence of hMPV in children who presented with ARI to a large referral hospital in Delhi, India and to genotype circulating strains on the basis of F gene nucleotide sequence analysis.

Study design

We analyzed 97 samples from children <5 years of age with ARI seen at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences from June 2004 to March 2005. RT-PCR was performed for the N and F genes and partial F gene nucleotide sequences were used to characterize the viruses.

Results

hMPV was identified in 12% of children with ARI, including 13% of the children hospitalized with ARI. Most virus identification occurred in the winter. The Indian strains clustered in the A2 genetic sublineage.

Conclusions

This report establishes hMPV as an important cause of ARI in children in India.

Abbreviations: AIIMS, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, ALRI, acute lower respiratory infections, ARI, acute respiratory infections, F gene, fusion protein gene, hMPV, human metapneumovirus, N gene, nucleocapsid gene, NPA, nasopharyngeal aspirates, NPS, nasopharyngeal swabs, OPD, out patient department, RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, URI, upper respiratory infections, WHO, World Health Organization

Keywords: Human metapneumovirus, Acute respiratory infection, Fusion protein gene