TY - JOUR AU - Boivin, Guy AU - De Serres, Gaston AU - Côté, Stéphanie AU - Gilca, Rodica AU - Abed, Yacine AU - Rochette, Louis AU - Bergeron, Michel G. AU - Déry, Pierre T1 - Human Metapneumovirus Infections in Hospitalized Children T2 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal PY - 2003 VL - 9 IS - 6 SP - 634 SN - 1080-6059 AB - We evaluated the percentage of hospitalizations for acute respiratory tract infections in children <3 years of age attributable to human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and other respiratory viruses in a prospective study during winter and spring 2002. We used real-time polymerase chain assays and other conventional diagnostic methods to detect HMPV, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), and influenza viruses in nasopharyngeal aspirates of children. HMPV was detected in 12 (6%) of the 208 children hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections, HRSV in 118 (57%), and influenza A in 49 (24%). Bronchiolitis was diagnosed in 8 (68%) and pneumonitis in 2 (17%) of HMPV-infected children; of those with HRSV infection, pneumonitis was diagnosed in 99 (84%) and bronchiolitis in 30 (25%). None of the HMPV-infected children was admitted to an intensive-care unit, whereas 15% of those with HRSV or influenza A infections were admitted. HMPV is an important cause of illness in young children with a similar, although less severe, clinical presentation to that of HRSV. KW - Human metapneumovirus KW - human respiratory syncytial virus KW - respiratory tract infections KW - children KW - real-time PCR KW - research KW - Canada DO - 10.3201/eid0906.030017 UR - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/9/6/03-0017_article ER - End of Reference