BACKGROUND;The recent discovery of Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) as a major respiratory pathogen has been made possible by means of RT-PCR. Studies thus far published have mostly been conducted using the molecular approach.
OBJECTIVES: Clarification of epidemiological and clinical features and using molecular biological techniques for diagnosis of hMPV.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: 189 patients with suspected viral respiratory tract infections were included and respiratory specimens were analyzed for hMPV by Seeplex respiratory virus detection kit. Detection techniques that applied, include virus identification by TC-PCR, DFA staining and the rapid culture technique known as shell vial amplification using MAbs of nasal wash or aspirate fluid. The epidemiological and clinical data were analyzed and the later were represented as percentages where applicable.
RESULTS:The study determined 61(32.3%) respiratory viruses in the 189 respiratory samples and showed presence of hMPV in 8 (13.1 %) of 61 samples. hMPV showed variable seasonal activity. Six patients (75%) with positive hMPV had preexisting serious disorders. By using the shell vial cultures with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), the related isolated virus of the patient with NHL, showed a plaque of infected cells with small syncytial formations, while that of the other seven patients showed single infected cells. All samples of hMPV positive patients with RT-PCR were correlated whatever with DFA staining or shell vial cultures by MAbs.
CONCLUSION: hMPV is a significant pathogen in immunocompromised patients with a risk of high morbidity and mortality. Using combination of diagnostic workup may be useful to confirm detection of hMPV.

Keyword: hMPV-Epidemiology-Clinical characteristics- Molecular biological approach-DFA-MAbs-RT- PCR-Acute respiratory illness

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