title: Use of the P gene to genotype human metapneumovirus identifies 4 viral subtypes.
abstract: This study, conducted during 2001-2003, undertook the screening of patients with acute infectious respiratory-tract disease. A random selection of positive specimens was used for sequencing studies of the human metapneumovirus (hMPV) nucleoprotein gene and the phosphoprotein (P) gene. Australian and international sequences were compared, and a global classification scheme was developed. The hMPV P gene was an ideal molecular target for the detection and genotyping of hMPV. The region contained conserved sequences for reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain-reaction primers and adequate variability to permit the accurate genotyping of the virus into 2 main lineages and 4 sublineages. Establishing viral identity is essential for the linking of genotype and disease severity.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Virology and Molecular Microbiology Research Units, Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus Research Centre, Royal Children's Hospital and University of Queensland, Herston Road, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia. ian.mackay@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: Seweryn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bialasiewicz
authors.forename: Zubair
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Waliuzzaman
authors.forename: Glenys R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Chidlow
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Fegredo
authors.forename: Somprasong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laingam
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.forename: Gerald B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Harnett
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rawlinson
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Nissen
authors.forename: Theo P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Sloots
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D016415:Sequence Alignment
chemical_list: D009698:Nucleoproteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins