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.

Clinical features of human metapneumovirus genotypes in children with acute lower respiratory tract infection in Changsha, China

“…Previous studies have reported the prevalence of certain predominant hMPV genotypes in a given year. hMPV sub-genotypes may vary in different years and alternative predominance of hMPV sub-genotypes has been observed [Matsuzaki et al, 2008;Pitoiset et al, 2010;Kim et al, 2012;Lu et al, 2013;Wei et al, 2013]. The present study found that the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features were fundamentally similar among patients infected with different genotypes of hMPV, which is consistent with the results of some studies [Bosis et al, 2008;Wei et al, 2013].…”

“…The new sub-genotype A2b was discovered in children with respiratory tract infections by German researchers in 2006 [Huck et al, 2006]. The previous studies have identified distinct predominant prevalences of hMPV genotypes in different regions and different years [Matsuzaki et al, 2008;Pitoiset et al, 2010;Apostoli et al, 2012;Kim et al, 2012;Lu et al, 2013;Wei et al, 2013]. However, the data on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of various genotypes of hMPV are currently limited.…”

Development of real-time RT-PCR for detection of human metapneumovirus and genetic analysis of circulating strains (2009-2011) in Pune, India

“…Of all the samples sequenced, only one sequence belonging to A1 subtype was seen. Agrawal [40]. In Central and South America, subtypes A2 and B2 were the predominant strains circulating in 2008-2009 [41].…”

Experiments Investigating the Competitive Growth Advantage of Two Different Genotypes of Human Metapneumovirus: Implications for the Alternation of Genotype Prevalence

“…The statistical results for the two subtypes indicated that subtypes A and B of hMPV alternate in terms of prevalence, and each epidemic can last for 1-3 years. This result was also compared with those of previous studies 2, [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]29,39,40 . Many researchers have studied the alternation of genotype prevalence of hMPV and the most discussed reason for this phenomenon is environmental changes and human immunity 24,41 .…”