Molecular epidemiological investigation of a nosocomial outbreak of human metapneumovirus infection in a pediatric hemato-oncology patient population

J Clin Microbiol. 2009 Apr;47(4):1221-4. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01959-08. Epub 2009 Feb 11.

Abstract

We report the first nosocomial outbreak of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in a pediatric patient population. Among 15 pediatric hMPV infections from March to May 2007, there was a nosocomial outbreak involving two patients sharing a room in a hemato-oncology ward with a patient with a community-acquired case of hMPV infection. The estimated incubation period was 7 to 9 days for a symptomatic nosocomial case. Sequencing of fusion genes of 15 isolates revealed two clusters belonging to subgroup A2 and one cluster belonging to subgroup B2. Three isolates from the outbreak had sequences identical to those of samples in the A2 cluster. There was also a separate nosocomial case represented by the B2 cluster.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / complications
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Metapneumovirus / classification
  • Metapneumovirus / genetics
  • Metapneumovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / virology
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Viral Fusion Proteins