Emerging Viral Respiratory Tract Infection: Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV)

Abstract

Emerging Viral Respiratory Tract Infection: Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV)

Suree Jirapaiboonsuk MD

Section of Pediatrics, Sirindhorn Hospital

Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) was a newly discovered virus, which was first reported in Netherlands in 2001. This new RNA virus was classified as the Metapneumovirus genus of the Pneumovirinae sub-family of the Paramyxoviridae family. HMPV had been shown to be associated with upper and lower respiratory tract infection in children. The incidence of hMPV infection varies from 1.5-40 %. In Thailand, the incidence was 3.5-5.4 %. Co-infection of hMPV with other organisms was found in 5-30 %, mostly with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Clinical manifestations and chest X-ray were indistinguishable from other viral infections. Molecular methods such as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were the preferred diagnostic modality and new more rapid and sensitive hMPV assays, while real-time PCR allowed amplification and detection of hMPV within 2 hours. No specific treatment was recommended. Specific vaccines are currently in progress in experimental animals.

Vajira Med J 2009 ; 53 : 101 - 108