The Impact of Infection with Human Metapneumovirus and Other Respiratory Viruses in Young Infants and Children at High Risk for Severe Pulmonary Disease

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases 2006-06, Vol.193 (11), p.1544-1551
• Main Authors: Klein, M. Ines, Coviello, Silvina, Bauer, Gabriela, Benitez, Alicia, Serra, M. Elina, Schiatti, M. Paula, Delgado, M. Florencia, Melendi, Guillermina A., Novalli, Luis, Pena, Hebe Gonzalez, Karron, Ruth A., Kleeberger, Steven R., Polack, Fernando P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Argentina; Biological and medical sciences; Child, Preschool; Children; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart Defects, Congenital - complications; Human metapneumovirus; Human respiratory syncytial virus; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases - physiopathology; Infant, Premature, Diseases - virology; Infants; Infections; Infectious diseases; Influenza virus; Lung diseases; Lung Diseases - complications; Male; Medical sciences; Metapneumovirus - isolation & purification; Microbiology; Orthomyxoviridae; Orthomyxoviridae - isolation & purification; Parainfluenza virus; Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human - isolation & purification; Paramyxoviridae Infections - complications; Paramyxoviridae Infections - physiopathology; Pneumonia, Viral - complications; Pneumonia, Viral - physiopathology; Pneumonia, Viral - virology; Prospective Studies; Respiratory diseases; Respiratory syncytial virus; Respiratory syncytial virus infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human - isolation & purification; Respiratory syncytial viruses; Respiratory Tract Infections - complications; Respiratory Tract Infections - physiopathology; Respiratory Tract Infections - virology; Severity of Illness Index; Viruses
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1086/503806

We conducted a prospective, observational study to characterize the clinical manifestations of respiratory infections caused by human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and other viruses in 194 premature infants and young children with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease in Buenos Aires. Children had 567 episodes of respiratory illness and were monitored until they were 2 years old or until the completion of the study. hMPV elicited 12 infections (2%) year-round; 30% were of moderate or greater severity. Human parainfluenza virus type 3 caused 24 infections (4%), and 5 (25%) of 20 lung infections led to hospitalization. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) caused 33 episodes—17% of infections and 32% of hospitalizations during the respiratory season. None of the 10 children infected with influenza virus had severe disease. The present study of at-risk children suggests that hMPV and influenza virus are infrequent agents of severe disease and highlights the need for preventive interventions against RSV in developing countries