| Abstract: | The human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was first isolated in 2001 in the Netherlands (Van der Hoogen and collaborators) from a nasopharyngeal aspirate sampled from an infant. Based on the morphological, biochemical and genetic characteristics, the hMPV was initially classified in the genus Metapneumovirus with the avian metapneumovirus (APV), the agent causing the respiratory infections of the upper tract in turkeys and other birds. Subsequently, together with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), it was classified in the Pneumovirus genus which is a part of the Pneumovirinae subfamily, the Paramyxoviridae family. The aim of the present study was to optimize hMPV molecular detection and to detect the virus in samples form children with respiratory infections in Romania. Two types of RTPCR commercial kits were evaluated for the detection of hMPV. Tests were performed on 28 pharyngeal exudates from children aged from 9 months to 6 years, which were negative for influenza viruses and for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Among the tested samples 7 (25%) have been positive for hMPV by RT-PCR. These results document for the first time that hMPV is circulating in Romania and causes respiratory infections, especially in newborns and children under 6 years old. |
