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Infectious Disease Clinics of North... Sep 2017Lower respiratory tract infection is a leading cause of death in the United States. Advances in diagnostic testing have improved our ability to detect pathogens. Viral... (Review)
Review
Lower respiratory tract infection is a leading cause of death in the United States. Advances in diagnostic testing have improved our ability to detect pathogens. Viral pathogens are important causal pathogens in immunocompetent patients. As the number of elderly adults and those with chronic medical conditions increases, the burden of viral respiratory infections will increase. Clinicians must be familiar with the characteristics of rhinovirus, human adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and human metapneumovirus. Major challenges include distinguishing true infection from asymptomatic carriage and characterizing patients admitted with severe lower respiratory tract infection who do not have a causative pathogen identified.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Community-Acquired Infections; Female; Humans; Immunocompetence; Immunocompromised Host; Infant; Male; Metapneumovirus; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Pneumonia, Viral; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rhinovirus; United States
PubMed: 28687214
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2017.05.004 -
MBio Oct 2023Human metapneumovirus is an important respiratory pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in the very young, the elderly, and the...
Human metapneumovirus is an important respiratory pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in the very young, the elderly, and the immunosuppressed. However, the molecular details of how this virus spreads to new target cells are unclear. This work provides important new information on the formation of filamentous structures that are consistent with virus particles and adds critical new insight into the structure of extensions between cells that form during infection. In addition, it demonstrates for the first time the movement of viral replication centers through these intercellular extensions, representing a new mode of direct cell-to-cell spread that may be applicable to other viral systems.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Metapneumovirus; Cell Line; Cytoskeleton; Inclusion Bodies; Virion
PubMed: 37681946
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01589-23 -
Clinical and Vaccine Immunology : CVI Aug 2015Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a paramyxovirus discovered in 2001 in the Netherlands. Studies have identified HMPV as an important causative agent of acute respiratory... (Review)
Review
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a paramyxovirus discovered in 2001 in the Netherlands. Studies have identified HMPV as an important causative agent of acute respiratory disease in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Clinical signs of infection range from mild upper respiratory illness to more serious lower respiratory illness, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia. There are currently no licensed therapeutics or vaccines against HMPV. However, several research groups have tested vaccine candidates and monoclonal antibodies in various animal models. Several of these approaches have shown promise in animal models. This minireview summarizes the current therapies used to treat HMPV infection as well as different approaches for immunization.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Immunization; Metapneumovirus; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26063237
DOI: 10.1128/CVI.00230-15 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Feb 2006We retrospectively studied 420 pharyngeal swab specimens collected from Peruvian and Argentinean patients with influenzalike illness in 2002 and 2003 for evidence of...
We retrospectively studied 420 pharyngeal swab specimens collected from Peruvian and Argentinean patients with influenzalike illness in 2002 and 2003 for evidence of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Twelve specimens (2.3%) were positive by multiple assays. Six specimens yielded HMPV isolates. Four of the 6 isolates were of the uncommon B1 genotype.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cell Line; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Glycoproteins; Humans; Male; Metapneumovirus; Molecular Sequence Data; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Peru; Pharynx; Phylogeny; Population Surveillance; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Specimen Handling; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 16494771
DOI: 10.3201/eid1202.051133 -
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de... 2018Infections caused by respiratory viruses are important problems worldwide, especially in children. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory pathogen and causes... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
INTRODUCTION
Infections caused by respiratory viruses are important problems worldwide, especially in children. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory pathogen and causes severe infections with nonspecific symptoms. This study reports the hMPV occurrence and dissemination in southern Brazil and compares the frequency of occurrence of this virus and the human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) in the epidemiological weeks in a three-year period (2009-2011).
METHODS
In total, 545 nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens from individuals with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) who were negative for other seven respiratory viruses were analyzed for the presence of hMPV. Human metapneumovirus was detected by direct immunofluorescence and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS
hMPV was detected in 109 patients from the main geographic regions of the southernmost state of Brazil, presenting similar overall prevalence in males (46.8%) and females (53.2%). Among children who were less than six years old, hMPV was detected in 99 samples of all age groups, with a higher frequency in infants who were less than one year old (45.7%) compared to all other age groups until six years. hMPV and hRSV infection occurred in almost the same epidemiological weeks (EWs) of each year, with peaks of incidence between EW 31/37 and EW 26/38 for the years 2009 and 2011, respectively. hMPV was further detected in several cases of SARS and it was the only virus detected in three deaths.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that hMPV is in circulation in southern Brazil and highlight the importance of diagnosing hMPV for influenza-like illness in the population.
Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Brazil; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Metapneumovirus; Middle Aged; Nasopharynx; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Prevalence; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Severity of Illness Index; Young Adult
PubMed: 29513839
DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0435-2017 -
International Journal of Infectious... Dec 2023This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and genetic features of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in children in southern China, and the effect of...
Epidemiology, genetic characteristics, and association with meteorological factors of human metapneumovirus infection in children in southern China: A 10-year retrospective study.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and genetic features of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in children in southern China, and the effect of meteorological factors on infection.
METHODS
14,817 children (≤14 years) with acute respiratory tract infections from 2010 to 2019 were examined for HMPV and other respiratory viruses by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Full-length F gene of 54 positive samples were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The correlation between the HMPV-positive rate and meteorological factors was analyzed by linear regression analysis.
RESULTS
HMPV was detected in 524 (3.5%) children, who were mostly younger than 1 year. The seasonal peak of HMPV prevalence mainly occurred in spring. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most common virus coinfected with HMPV (5.3%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequenced HMPV strains belonged to four sublineages, including A2b (1.9%), A2c (31.5%), B1 (50.0%), and B2 (16.7%). After adjusting for all meteorological factors, sunshine duration was inversely correlated with the HMPV-positive rate.
CONCLUSION
HMPV is an important respiratory pathogen that causes acute respiratory tract infections in children in southern China, particularly in children ≤5 years old. The prevalence peak of HMPV in this area appeared in spring, and the predominant subtype was B1. Meteorological factors, especially long sunshine duration, might decrease the HMPV prevalence.
Topics: Child; Humans; Infant; Child, Preschool; Metapneumovirus; Retrospective Studies; Molecular Epidemiology; Phylogeny; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; China; Meteorological Concepts
PubMed: 37816430
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.10.002 -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Dec 2023Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is one of the main pathogens causing severe respiratory infections in children, as a common cause of immunodeficiency-related deaths in...
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is one of the main pathogens causing severe respiratory infections in children, as a common cause of immunodeficiency-related deaths in children and elderly individuals, the prevalence of HMPV has been showing an increasing trend during the last years. However, no vaccines or effective treatment plans are available currently. In this present, based on candidate proteins highly associated with viral virulence and has promising protective potential, we screened for immunodominant cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, and Linear B-cell epitopes from the most promising candidate Fusion protein, together with G, SH, M, and M2. All epitopes were predicted to have strong antigenicity by Vaxijen and pose no potential toxicity, allergenicity, or hormonology to human proteins by Toxinpred, Allerpred, and Blast analysis, meanwhile, high conservancy is demanded to cover different subtypes. adjuvants β-defensin II and Pam2Cys was attached with EAAAK linkers to improve vaccine's efficiency. Then, calculation of physicochemical properties proved the protein vaccine as a product can stably exist in the human body. Besides, we assessed the docking between the vaccine and immune receptors to evaluate its ability to stimulate immune responses, and the dynamic simulation further confirmed that the vaccine can tightly bind with immune receptors, which approved that the construction has the potential to induce strong humoral and cellular immune response. Finally, the vaccine was constructed into a multi-epitope mRNA vaccine, the immune simulations suggest that this is a vaccine candidate for controlling HMPV infection.
Topics: Child; Humans; Aged; Metapneumovirus; mRNA Vaccines; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; Computational Biology; Vaccines, Subunit
PubMed: 38172569
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2293300 -
Viruses Mar 2021Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of the main pathogens responsible for acute respiratory infections in children up to 5 years of age, contributing substantially to... (Review)
Review
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of the main pathogens responsible for acute respiratory infections in children up to 5 years of age, contributing substantially to health burden. The worldwide economic and social impact of this virus is significant and must be addressed. The structural components of hMPV (either proteins or genetic material) can be detected by several receptors expressed by host cells through the engagement of pattern recognition receptors. The recognition of the structural components of hMPV can promote the signaling of the immune response to clear the infection, leading to the activation of several pathways, such as those related to the interferon response. Even so, several intrinsic factors are capable of modulating the immune response or directly inhibiting the replication of hMPV. This article will discuss the current knowledge regarding the innate and adaptive immune response during hMPV infections. Accordingly, the host intrinsic components capable of modulating the immune response and the elements capable of restricting viral replication during hMPV infections will be examined.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Child, Preschool; Host Microbial Interactions; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Metapneumovirus; Paramyxoviridae Infections
PubMed: 33809875
DOI: 10.3390/v13030519 -
MBio Jun 2022Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) inclusion bodies (IBs) are dynamic structures required for efficient viral replication and transcription. The minimum components needed to...
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) inclusion bodies (IBs) are dynamic structures required for efficient viral replication and transcription. The minimum components needed to form IB-like structures in cells are the nucleoprotein (N) and the tetrameric phosphoprotein (P). HMPV P binds to the following two versions of the N protein in infected cells: N-terminal P residues interact with monomeric N (N) to maintain a pool of protein to encapsidate new RNA and C-terminal P residues interact with oligomeric, RNA-bound N (N-RNA). Recent work on other negative-strand viruses has suggested that IBs are, at least in part, liquid-like phase-separated membraneless organelles. Here, HMPV IBs in infected or transfected cells were shown to possess liquid organelle properties, such as fusion and fission. Recombinant versions of HMPV N and P proteins were purified to analyze the interactions required to drive phase separation . Purified HMPV P was shown to form liquid droplets in isolation. This observation is distinct from other viral systems that also form IBs. Partial removal of nucleic acid from purified P altered phase-separation dynamics, suggesting that nucleic acid interactions play a role in IB formation. HMPV P also recruits monomeric N (N-P) and N-RNA to droplets . These findings suggest that HMPV P may also act as a scaffold protein to mediate multivalent interactions with monomeric and oligomeric N, as well as RNA, to promote phase separation of IBs. Together, these findings highlight an additional layer of regulation in HMPV replication by the viral P and N proteins. Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a leading cause of respiratory disease among children, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. Currently, no vaccines or antivirals are available for the treatment of HMPV infections. Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs), where HMPV replication and transcription occur, represent a promising target for the development of novel antivirals. The HMPV nucleoprotein (N) and phosphoprotein (P) are the minimal components needed for IB formation in eukaryotic cells. However, interactions that regulate the formation of these dynamic structures are poorly understood. Here, we showed that HMPV IBs possess the properties of liquid organelles and that purified HMPV P phase separates independently . Our work suggests that HMPV P phase-separation dynamics are altered by nucleic acid. We provide strong evidence that, unlike results reported from other viral systems, HMPV P alone can serve as a scaffold for multivalent interactions with monomeric (N) and oligomeric (N-RNA) HMPV N for IB formation.
Topics: Humans; Antiviral Agents; Metapneumovirus; Nucleic Acids; Nucleoproteins; Phosphoproteins; RNA; Virus Replication; Inclusion Bodies, Viral
PubMed: 35536005
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01099-22 -
Viruses Jun 2013Lung dendritic cells (DC) play a fundamental role in sensing invading pathogens, as well as in the control of tolerogenic responses in the respiratory tract. Their... (Review)
Review
Lung dendritic cells (DC) play a fundamental role in sensing invading pathogens, as well as in the control of tolerogenic responses in the respiratory tract. Their strategic localization at the site of pathogen entry makes them particularly susceptible to initial viral invasion. Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) belong to the Paramyxoviridae family, within the Pneumovirus and Metapneumovirus genera, respectively. hRSV and hMPV are significant human respiratory pathogens that cause similar clinical manifestations and affect many of the same subpopulations. However, they differentially activate the host immune response, including DC, which represents a fundamental link between the innate and adaptive immune response. In this review, the role of DC in the immune response against hRSV and hMPV infections, as well as the inhibitory effects of these paramyxoviruses on the DC immunity will be discussed.
Topics: Dendritic Cells; Humans; Metapneumovirus; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human
PubMed: 23787776
DOI: 10.3390/v5061553