A Retrospective Study of Respiratory Tract Infections Caused by Human Metapneumovirus in Patients at Ramathibodi Hospital Between 2012-2022
Keywords:
Human metapneumovirus, Retrospective study, Age distribution, Seasonal variationAbstract
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a significant etiological agent of respiratory infections on a global scale. A study of 41,261 patients from the Virology Laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, conducted between 2012 and 2022, identified 2,959 cases of hMPV infection, representing a prevalence of 7.17%. The study found that the period between September and November
2015 exhibited the highest infection rates. A statistically significant disparity was observed in the infection rate between males and females, with females exhibiting a higher prevalence of infection (11.46%) compared to males (p-value = 0.006, OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.05−1.33). This difference was particularly pronounced in the month of September. Preschool children aged 3-6 years exhibited the highest prevalence (10.52%), while adolescents aged 12-18 years demonstrated the lowest prevalence (1.47%). The highest risk of infection was identified in toddlers aged 1 to 3 years (p < 0.001, OR = 2.75, 95% CI = 2.26−3.34). Nasopharyngeal swabs exhibited a higher frequency of viral presence compared to other sample types (p < 0.001, OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.27−1.65). The study's findings suggest that hMPV is prevalent across all age groups, particularly among young children. This information can be utilized to optimize the operational readiness of medical laboratories. It can inform crucial decisions regarding the allocation of personnel, materials, equipment, and medical instruments, thereby facilitating the effective and adequate management of hMPV outbreaks and ensuring the provision of adequate medical services.
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