Journal of Infectious Diseases & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Background: Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a member of Paramyxoviridae family. It is an important viral pathogen of
respiratory tract infections among children. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the incidence of hMPV infections
among children less than 5 years of age with respiratory tract infections at the pediatric hospital in Sulaimani city of Iraq. Also,
this study aims to evaluate the different diagnostic methods for the detection of this virus.
Method: Nasopharyngeal swabs and throat swabs were collected from 300 hospitalized children with respiratory infections
under 5 years of age between April 2011 and March 2012. Each sample was used for hMPV detection by conventional reverse
transcriptase (RT – PCR) and direct fluorescent assay (DFA). A questionnaire which was designed for acute respiratory tract
infections among hospitalized children was also included.
Results: Human Metapneumovirus was detected in 16% by RT – PCR and 14.7% by DFA. Autumn – winter period was the
most common season for hMPV infections with its peak occurrence in January and February.
Conclusions: hMPV is an important pathogen associated with RTIs in children. RT-PCR is highly sensitive and specific for the
detection of hMPV than antigen detection methods used for the diagnosis of hMPV viruses.

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