[Acute respiratory tract infections due to a human metapneumovirus in children: descriptive study and comparison with respiratory syncytial virus infections].
BACKGROUND
A new paramyxovirus, the human metapneumovirus was recently isolated. We report the first French cases collected between 2000 and 2002.


METHODS
Samples were obtained from nasopharyngeal aspirates from children hospitalised for acute respiratory tract infection in hospitals of Caen and Flers in Basse-Normandie. Human metapneumovirus was studied by polymerase chain reaction on negative samples for respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A and B virus, parainfluenza (1, 2 and 3) virus, adenovirus, coronavirus and rhinovirus. Comparison between metapneumovirus virus and respiratory syncytial virus infections was done after matching sex, age and infection month.


RESULTS
Twenty-six human metapneumovirus infections were identified. A comparative study of a matched group of children infected by respiratory syncytial virus found no significative difference for hospitalisation motive, clinical criteria and treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The human metapneumovirus is responsible for typical acute bronchiolitis in children.
Service de pédiatrie, CHU Clémenceau, avenue Clémenceau, 14033 Caen, France.
N
N
Bach
D
D
Cuvillon
J
J
Brouard
F
F
Lafay
F
F
Freymuth
L
L
Legrand
B
B
Guillois
J F
JF
Duhamel
D000208:Acute Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D029121:Metapneumovirus; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons