Background: Human metapneumovirus (hmpv) is a newly identified agent responsible for respiratory tract infections in children, especially before one year of age. A prospective epidemiological study is underway to better define the spectrum of the disease in France.
Patients and methods: From November 2003 to November 2004, rhinopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from all children under five years of age admitted to the hospital with upper or lower airway symptoms. Viral identification was made using gene amplification.
Results: Among 355 evaluable samples to date, 34 were positive for hmpv genome. Mean age of infected children was 6.4 months, 20.5% were prematurely born infants. The prognosis is usually good.
Conclusion: Our preliminary results are consistent with the available literature data. Further studies are needed to better define the exact frequency and morbidity of this newly recognized infection, both in hospital and community settings.