Human metapneumovirus virus
(hMPV) has recently been identified as
an etiological agent of acute respiratory
tract infections (ART') in infants
and children .The hMPV fusion protein
(F) protein has been indicated to
be a major antigenic determinant that
mediates effective neutralization and
protection against hMPV infection.
Objective: The aim of this study was
to evaluate the potential role of hMPV
as a causative agent of ARTI in children.
Patients and Methods: 98 nasopharyngeal
aspirate (NPA) specimens from 49
infants and children less than 5 years
old affected by ARTI were analyzed
for the presence of hMPV by direct
immunofluorescence antibody (DIU)
test and cell culture. Results: 11
(22.4%) out of 49 children were positive
for hMPV as detected by D.FA and
3(6.1%) out of 49 children were hMPV
positive as detected by cell culture.
The mean age of hMPV infected children
was 14.6 months (range from 2 to
36 months). The most common symptoms
were coryza (80%), cough (63%), |
