[Prevalence and clinical features of human metapneumovirus infection in hospitalized pediatric patients with respiratory tract infection in Suzhou area].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was circulating in Suzhou area and the epidemiology and clinical features associated with hMPV infection.


METHODS
Samples were collected from January 2006 to December 2007; respiratory specimens were tested for the presence of hMPV by reverse-transcription polymerase Chain reaction (RT-PCR). PCR products of hMPV N gene from some patients were randomly selected for sequencing analysis, and the sequences of the nucleotides and deduced amino acids were compared with those in the GenBank.


RESULTS
Of the 4702 patients screened, 8% had evidence of hMPV infection. The positive rate in 2006 and 2007 was 8.4% and 7.6%, respectively. The positive rates detected during January to March, November and December were higher. The median age of patients was 22. 56 months. The infected children were diagnosed as having upper respiratory tract infection (3.2%), laryngitis (2.1%), bronchiolitis (27.1%), pneumonia (55.9%), and asthma exacerbation (11.7%). Sequence analysis of these hMPV N genes showed 99%-100% homology with the registered sequence in GenBank.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) hMPV accounted for a significant proportion of respiratory tract infection in infants and children. (2) hMPV prevailed predominantly in the winter and spring time. (3) Clinically, hMPV infection can not be discriminated from the infection with other respiratory tract viruses.
Wang
Yu-qing
YQ
Department of Respiratory Diseases Children's Hospital Affiliated to Suzhou University, Suzhou 215003, China.
Ji
Wei
W
Chen
Zheng-rong
ZR
Ding
Yun-fang
YF
Shao
Xue-jun
XJ
Ji
Zheng-hua
ZH
Xu
Jun
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D029121:Metapneumovirus; D015995:Prevalence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*