Circulation of human metapneumovirus among children with influenza-like illness in Wuhan, China

J Med Virol. 2016 May;88(5):774-81. doi: 10.1002/jmv.24411. Epub 2016 Jan 7.

Abstract

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a worldwide distributed pathogen of the respiratory tract. The objectives of this study were to identify HMPV infections among children with influenza-like illness (ILI) in Wuhan and to assess circulation patterns and molecular diversity of HMPV in this area. From July 2008 to December 2013, a total of 3,883 throat swab samples were collected from ILI outpatients under 16 years old. HMPV RNA was detected in 171 samples (4.40%). All the four subtypes of HMPV were identified, among which A2 was the most common subtype (61/145, 42.1%), followed by B1, B2, and A1. During the study period, HMPV circulation presented a biennial alternation between high and low incidence in Wuhan and the seasonal peak also shift between winter and spring in two continuous seasons. Subtype A2, B1, and B2 co-circulated during the study period, with genotype A prevailing in epidemic season 2008-2009 and 2012-2013, and genotype B prevailing during other periods. This large-scale analysis of HMPV prevalence in ILI outpatient children improves the understanding of local HMPV circulation patterns and provides molecular epidemic evidence for comparative analysis of HMPV infection.

Keywords: China; children; epidemiology; human metapneumovirus.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genotype*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Influenza, Human / pathology*
  • Male
  • Metapneumovirus / classification*
  • Metapneumovirus / genetics
  • Metapneumovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Outpatients
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / pathology*
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / virology
  • Pharynx / virology
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Seasons

Substances

  • RNA, Viral