Human metapneumovirus infections in hospitalised infants in Spain

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Abstract
Background: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) causes lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in young children and the elderly. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on the clinical characteristics of infants Results: A respiratory virus was detected in 65.9% of the 749 children included in the study. hMPV, found in 69 of the positive nasopharyngeal aspirates (14%), was the most common virus after RSV. Peak incidence was in March and over 80% of children were Conclusions: hMPV was the second most frequent virus after RSV in infants <2 years of age hospitalised for respiratory infection and was associated with lower respiratory tract infections. hMPV occurred predominantly in springtime. Co-infections were frequent and clinically similar to single infections and RSV infections.