Lim YK, Kweon OJ, Kim HR, Kim TH, Lee MK. Clinical Features, Epidemiology, and Climatic Impact of Genotype-specific Human Metapneumovirus Infections: Long-term Surveillance of Hospitalized Patients in South Korea.
Clin Infect Dis 2021;
70:2683-2694. [PMID:
31353397 PMCID:
PMC7108157 DOI:
10.1093/cid/ciz697]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) commonly causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Here, we performed long-term retrospective surveillance of hMPV infection among patients hospitalized in South Korea between 2007 and 2016 and investigated seasonal dynamics and clinical characteristics associated with each virus subtype/genotype.
Methods
Patient specimens were tested for hMPV and other respiratory viruses by commercial molecular assays. Medical records of hMPV-positive patients were reviewed, and hMPV subtype/genotype analysis was performed. We also collected meteorological data and analyzed relationships with hMPV activity.
Results
Of 23 694 specimens, 1275 (5.4%) were positive; among them, 94.0% were classified into 5 subtypes (A1, A2a, A2b, B1, and B2). Some clinical manifestations differed according to hMPV genotype; however, there was no correlation between hMPV subtype and clinical outcome. Viral activity peaked at 13–20 weeks (April and May) and was associated with climate-specific factors, including temperature, relative humidity, diurnal temperature variation, wind speed, and sunshine duration.
Conclusions
This large-scale, 10-year study provides valuable information about the clinical characteristics associated with hMPV subtypes and climate factors contributing to virus transmission.
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