title: Genotype variability and clinical features of human metapneumovirus isolated from Korean children, 2007 to 2010.
abstract: This study was undertaken to determine the genotype variability of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and its circulation pattern over a 3.5-year period, and to evaluate its clinical characteristics in Korean children. We investigated 4599 pediatric patients who were referred for a routine respiratory virus test by RT-PCR. hMPV genotype analyses were performed using a nested PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Clinical and laboratory data obtained from medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Of the 4599 samples tested, 325 (7.1%) were positive for hMPV, and the co-infection rate among these 325 was 16%. Nested PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis clearly identified four of the five hMPV genotypes (A2a, A2b, B1, and B2) in 97.8%. The predominant genotype of hMPV changed over the 3.5-year study period from genotype A2a to B2 and then back to A2a. The most common genotype was A2a (214/325, 65.8%). Evidence of recurrent infection was obtained in one child only. Lymphocytosis was more frequent in children with a co-infection, but sputum production was less frequent than in children with a single infection. In genotype A2a hMPV-infected children, sneezing and neutrophilia were more frequent than in genotype B1 or B2 hMPV-infected children. This study broadens knowledge regarding the prevalence, the seasonal incidence, the occurrences of co-infection and re-infection, and the genotype diversity of hMPV in Korea.
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Hye Ryoun
authors: HR
authors: Kim
authors: Ah Ra
authors: AR
authors: Cho
authors: Mi-Kyung
authors: MK
authors: Lee
authors: Sin Weon
authors: SW
authors: Yun
authors: Tae-Hyoung
authors: TH
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology