Phylogenetic analysis of human metapneumovirus from New York State patients during February through April 2010.
BACKGROUND
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is the second leading cause of lower respiratory infection (LRI) in children around the world and has been linked to LRI in multiple studies. Currently, hMPV is classified into 2 major subtypes (A and B), each with 2 subgroups (1 and 2).


OBJECTIVE
To determine which hMPV genotypes were present in NYS patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) from February through April 2010, during a period of unusually heightened activity.


METHODS
Specimens were collected from February through April of 2010 from patients presenting with ILI who were previously confirmed as positive for hMPV by real-time RT-PCR. A 700 base pair region of the hMPV fusion (F) gene was amplified, sequenced and resulting sequences aligned. A phylogenic tree was constructed based on prototype strains, and the partial F gene sequences obtained in this study.


RESULTS
Bi-directional sequence was obtained from 30 patient samples and included in the phylogenic analysis. Specimen sequences grouped into hMPV genotype A2a (16), A2b (9), B2 (4) and B1 (1). No A1 genotypes were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Previously, reports have demonstrated that genotypes A1, A2, B1 and B2 circulate every season, usually with one dominant strain. In contrast, late in the 2009-2010 respiratory season, 4 of the 5 recognized genotypes of hMPV were isolated from NYS ILI patients, and by sequencing a larger portion of the fusion gene, we were able to identify the A2a and A2b genotypes.
Laboratory of Viral Diseases, Wadsworth Center, Albany, NY, USA. dml20@health.state.ny.us
Daryl M
DM
Lamson
Sara
S
Griesemer
Meghan
M
Fuschino
Kirsten
K
St George
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000821:virology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000821:virology*