title: The impact of infection with human metapneumovirus and other respiratory viruses in young infants and children at high risk for severe pulmonary disease.
abstract: We conducted a prospective, observational study to characterize the clinical manifestations of respiratory infections caused by human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and other viruses in 194 premature infants and young children with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease in Buenos Aires. Children had 567 episodes of respiratory illness and were monitored until they were 2 years old or until the completion of the study. hMPV elicited 12 infections (2%) year-round; 30% were of moderate or greater severity. Human parainfluenza virus type 3 caused 24 infections (4%), and 5 (25%) of 20 lung infections led to hospitalization. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) caused 33 episodes--17% of infections and 32% of hospitalizations during the respiratory season. None of the 10 children infected with influenza virus had severe disease. The present study of at-risk children suggests that hMPV and influenza virus are infrequent agents of severe disease and highlights the need for preventive interventions against RSV in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Fundacion INFANT, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: M Ines
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Silvina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coviello
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benitez
authors.forename: M Elina
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: M Paula
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Schiatti
authors.forename: M Florencia
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: Guillermina A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Melendi
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Novalli
authors.forename: Hebe Gonzalez
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Pena
authors.forename: Ruth A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Karron
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kleeberger
authors.forename: Fernando P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Polack
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001118:Argentina; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010224:Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index