Epidemiologic and clinical features in children with acute lower respiratory tract infection caused by human metapneumovirus in 2006-2007.
10.3345/kjp.2009.52.3.330
- Author:
Gwi Ok PARK
1
;
Ji Hyun KIM
;
Jae Hee LEE
;
Jung Ju LEE
;
Sin Weon YUN
;
In Seok LIM
;
Dong Keun LEE
;
Eung Sang CHOI
;
Byoung Hoon YOO
;
Mi Kyung LEE
;
Soo Ahn CHAE
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Chung Ang University, Seoul, Korea. kidbrain@korea.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Human metapneumovirus;
Respiratory infections;
Children
- MeSH:
Adenoviridae;
Aged;
C-Reactive Protein;
Child;
Hospitalization;
Humans;
Incidence;
Leukocyte Count;
Metapneumovirus;
Orthomyxoviridae;
Paramyxoviridae Infections;
Pneumonia;
Prognosis;
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses;
Respiratory System;
Respiratory Tract Infections;
Retrospective Studies;
Seasons;
Thorax;
Viruses
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatrics
2009;52(3):330-338
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The causes of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) are mostly attributable to viral infection, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), influenza virus A/ B (IFV A/ B), or adenovirus (ADV). Several Korean studies reported human metapneumovirus (hMPV) as a common pathogen of ALRTI. However, studies on seasonal distribution and clinical differences relative to other viruses are insufficient, prompting us to perform this study. METHODS: From November 2006 to October 2007, we tested nasopharyngeal aspiration specimens in children hospitalized with ALRTI with the multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to identify 6 kinds of common pathogen (hMPV, RSV, PIV, IFV A/ B, and ADV). We analyzed positive rates and clinical features by retrospective chart review. RESULTS: We detected 38 (8.4%) hMPV-positive cases out of 193 (41.8%) virus-positive specimens among 462 patients. HMPV infection prevailed from March to June with incidence peaking in April. HMPV-positive patients were aged 1-5 years (76.3%), and the ratio of boys to girls was 1.2:1. The median age was 27 months. HMPV primarily caused pneumonia (76.3%) (P=0.018). Average hospitalization of HMPV-associated ALRTI patients was 5.8 days. In addition, they showed parahilar peribronchial infiltration (100%) on chest X-ray, normal white blood cell count (73.7%), and negative C-reactive protein (86.8%) (P>0.05). All hMPV-positive patients recovered without complication. CONCLUSION: HMPV is a common pathogen of ALRTI in Korean children, especially in 1-5 year olds, from March to May. Immunocompetent children diagnosed with hMPV-associated ALRTI may have a good prognosis.
