[Epidemiology of Human Metapneumovirus in respiratory tract diseases of children: preliminary results].
BACKGROUND
Human metapneumovirus (hmpv) is a newly identified agent responsible for respiratory tract infections in children, especially before one year of age. A prospective epidemiological study is underway to better define the spectrum of the disease in France.


METHODS
From November 2003 to November 2004, rhinopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from all children under five years of age admitted to the hospital with upper or lower airway symptoms. Viral identification was made using gene amplification.


RESULTS
Among 355 evaluable samples to date, 34 were positive for hmpv genome. Mean age of infected children was 6.4 months, 20.5% were prematurely born infants. The prognosis is usually good.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary results are consistent with the available literature data. Further studies are needed to better define the exact frequency and morbidity of this newly recognized infection, both in hospital and community settings.
Guyon
G
G
Service de pédiatrie infectieuse, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier cedex, France. g-guyon@chu-montpellier.fr
Foulongne
V
V
Vande Perre
P
P
Rodière
M
M
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*