Clinical analyses on human metapneumovirus infection in acute respiratory tract of 25 children

Objective To investigate the positive rate,epidemiologic and clinical features of human metapneumovirus(hMPV) in children's respiratory tract.Method Nasopharyngeal aspirates(NPS) from 258 hospitalized children with respiratory diseases over 13 months from 2002 December to 2003 December in our hospital were collected.Rapid immunofluoresence method was used to diagnose respiratory syncytial virus(RSV),adenovirus,influenza A and B,and parainfluenza 1,2,3.Viral mRNAs from NPS was extracted.L and M gene of hMPV,coronavirus and rhinovirus were detected by RT-PCR.Results hMPV was detected in the NPS from 25(9.7%) children by PCR.hMPV infection was associated with clinical diagnosis of pneumonia(36%),asthma exacerbation(16%) and acute bronchiolitis.Fifteen children with hMPV infection were co-infected with RSV,rhinovirus,coronavirus and RSV plus rhinovirus respectively.hMPV viral activity peaked during the autumn-winter period in Chongqing.Conclusion These data suggest besides RSV,hMPV is the common pathogen of children with respiratory infection.hMPV could be co-infected with other viruses.Further study will be elucidated the sequela of single hMPV infection and co-infection with other viruses.