title: Perspective on the host response to human metapneumovirus infection: what can we learn from respiratory syncytial virus infections?
abstract: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a recently discovered pathogen first identified in respiratory specimens from young children suffering from clinical respiratory syndromes ranging from mild to severe lower respiratory tract illness. HMPV has worldwide prevalence, and is a leading cause of respiratory tract infection in the first years of life, with a spectrum of disease similar to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The disease burden associated with HMPV infection has not been fully elucidated; however, studies indicate that HMPV may cause upper or lower respiratory tract illness in patients between ages 2 months and 87 years, may co-circulate with RSV, and HMPV infection may be associated with asthma exacerbation. The mechanisms and effector pathways contributing to immunity or disease pathogenesis following infection are not fully understood; however, given the clinical significance of HMPV, there is a need for a fundamental understanding of the immune and pathophysiological processes that occur following infection to provide the foundation necessary for the development of effective vaccine or therapeutic intervention strategies. This review provides a current perspective on the processes associated with HMPV infection, immunity, and disease pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Viral Arthritis/Asthma Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. suresh.mahalingam@canberra.edu.au
authors.forename: Surendran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahalingam
authors.forename: Jurgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schwarze
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaid
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nissen
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sloots
authors.forename: Sharyn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tauro
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Storer
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Ralph A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Tripp
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000276:immunology