Prevalance of human-metapnuemovirus infection in wheezy admitted children

Introduction: Viral infections such as para- Influenza, Influenza and Respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) contribute to the most of respiratory infections in children less than 5 year-old, yet causes for some 15-35% of children respiratory infections remained to be unknown. In recent years newly discovered human-metapnuemovirus (hMPV) showed to be one of the major causes for upper as well as lower respiratory tract infections especially in children. This virus also showed to be one of contributors in infants asthma exacerbation.

Method: In the present study, in one year, we examined 120 nasopharyngeal swaps from hospitalized children affected by wheezing for the presence of hMPV by RT-PCR technique. The datas are recorded in questionnaires.

Result: Mean age for admitted children was 16 month-old                                                                 .Twenty out of 120 (16.6%) of cases were positive for hMPV. HMVP prevalence among male was three times greater than female. All of the positive hMPV children were affected by wheezing. More over 31.3% were simultaneously affected by wheezing and asthma. Significant correlation between clinical manifestation and more than 2 days of hospitalization and positivity of hMPV were detected.

Conclusion: HMPV prevalence in children with asthma and wheezing was almost the same in Shiraz in compare with the other part of the world. Recent findindgs suggest a probable role of hMPV in asthma exacerbation and wheezing onset.