Human metapneumovirus in hospitalized children with acute respiratory
tract infections in Beijing, China
Abstract
Background This study aims to described the epidemiology and genotypic
diversity of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and the impact of SARS-CoV-2
on the prevalence of HMPV in hospitalized children with Acute
respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in Beijing, China. Methods From
April 2018 to March 2019 and from September 2020 to August 2021,
nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) from hospitalized children with ARTIs in
Beijing were collected and subjected to real-time polymerase chain
reaction tests for HMPV. Then genotyping, detection of 15 common
respiratory viruses and clinical characteristics were analyzed on HMPV
positive samples. Results 7.9% (124/1572) enrolled paediatric patients
were identified as having HMPV infection, and the majority of children
under the age of 5 (78.2%, 92/124), From April 2018 to March 2019. The
detection rate of HMPV in spring and winter is significantly higher than
that in summer and autumn. The co-infection rate were 37.1% (46/124),
the most common co-infected virus were parainfluenza virus type 3
(HPIV-3). The main diagnosis of HMPV infection was pneumonia
(92.7%,115/124), most patient have cough and fever. Of 78 HMPV-positive
specimens, A2b (82.1%,64/78) were the main epidemic subtypes. .During
the COVID-19 outbreak, Among 232 samples, only 4 cases were
HMPV-positive. After statistical test, the detection rate of HMPV during
the COVID-19 pandemic has decreased significantly compared with that
before the epidemic (p=0.001). Conclusions HMPV is an important cause of
ARTIs in children under 5 years old. Under the prevention and control of
the COVID-19 pandemic, the HMPV infection of hospitalized children with
ARTIs has decreased significantly.