Human metapneumovirus - what we know now

Nazly Shafagati,John Williams

doi:10.12688/f1000research.12625.1

Nazly Shafagati, John Williams

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.12625.1

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Journal: F1000Research	Publication Date: Feb 1, 2018
Citations: 81	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Pittsburgh

Abstract

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory infection, particularly in children, immunocompromised patients, and the elderly. HMPV, which is closely related to avian metapneumovirus subtype C, has circulated for at least 65 years, and nearly every child will be infected with HMPV by the age of 5. However, immunity is incomplete, and re-infections occur throughout adult life. Symptoms are similar to those of other respiratory viral infections, ranging from mild (cough, rhinorrhea, and fever) to more severe (bronchiolitis and pneumonia). The preferred method for diagnosis is reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction as HMPV is difficult to culture. Although there have been many advances made in the past 16 years since its discovery, there are still no US Food and Drug Administration-approved antivirals or vaccines available to treat HMPV. Both small animal and non-human primate models have been established for the study of HMPV. This review will focus on the epidemiology, transmission, and clinical manifestations in humans as well as the animal models of HMPV pathogenesis and host immune response.

Highlights

The start of the twenty-first century has seen the discovery of several emerging or new respiratory pathogens causing human disease, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and human metapneumovirus (HMPV)
This review will focus on the epidemiology, transmission, and clinical manifestations in humans as well as the animal models of HMPV pathogenesis and host immune response
The metapneumoviruses belong to the order Mononegavirales and family Pneumoviridae, which includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)[2,3]

Summary

Invited Reviewers

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Introduction

Catalytic activity for viral replication

Reference Source

Findings

Open Peer Review