title: Human metapneumovirus infection among children in Taiwan: a comparison of clinical manifestations with other virus-associated respiratory tract infections.
abstract: This study compared the clinical, laboratory and radiological features of infections caused by human metapneumovirus (hMPV) with other respiratory viruses. Nasopharyngeal aspirates and throat swabs were obtained from children during a 9-week period. hMPV was the virus isolated most frequently, followed by adenovirus, influenza virus A, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus B. hMPV-infected children were younger, and were more likely to be female, to present with feeding difficulties, a rash, tachycardia and a longer duration of fever, and to cough less frequently. Increasing interstitial infiltrates and hyperinflation were the most common radiological findings. None of the children required mechanical ventilation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University and Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: S-M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: C-C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: I-J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: J-R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology