Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

PLoS One 2019 19;14(2):e0211079. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel.

Respiratory viral infections constitute the majority of samples tested in the clinical virology laboratory during the winter season, and are mainly diagnosed using molecular assays, namely real-time PCR (qPCR). Therefore, a high-quality extraction process is critical for successful, reliable and sensitive qPCR results. Here we aimed to evaluate the performance of the newly launched eMAG compared to the fully automated MagNA PURE 96 (Roche, Germany) and to the semi-automated easyMAG (bioMerieux, France) extraction platforms. Read More

Avian Pathol 2019 Feb 19:1-19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

a VIPAC unit Anses (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety), Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory , B.P.53, 22440 Ploufragan , France.

To date four subgroups of avian metapneumoviruses have been defined (AMPV-A, B, C and D) based on genetic and antigenic differences. The extent of infection in the three principal species (turkeys, chickens and ducks) by these subgroups however, is not well defined. Here, a series of controlled and ethically-approved experimental infections were performed in SPF turkeys, chickens and ducks with each of the four AMPV subgroups. Read More

Clin Lab 2019 Jan;65(1)

Background: Human bocavirus (HBoV) is known to cause lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in children and may result in substantial morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine HBoV prevalence among hospitalized infants and small children with acute LRTI in Zagreb, Croatia, as well as to evaluate HBoV DNA quantity in samples in relation to the patients' age and co-infection with other respiratory viruses.

Methods: During winter season 2016/2017, a total of 295 children younger than three years of age who were admitted to hospitals with LRTI were tested for the presence of HBoV, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), parainfluenza virus (PIV) types 1 to 3, and human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Read More

J Med Virol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology.

Background: Pediatric cancer patients have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality due to respiratory viral infections than do other patient populations.

Objectives: To investigate the causative viruses of respiratory infections and their burden among pediatric cancer patients in Lebanon.

Study Design: Nasopharyngeal swabs along with clinical and demographic data were collected from pediatric cancer patients presenting febrile episodes with upper respiratory tract symptoms. Read More

Infect Dis (Lond) 2019 Feb 14:1-8. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

a Infectious Disease Research Unit, Department of Translational Medicine , Lund University , Malmö , Sweden.

Background: Along with the current development of molecular diagnostic methods of respiratory viruses, the bedside patient sampling techniques need to be evaluated. We here asked the question whether the addition of an oropharynx swab to the traditional nasopharynx swab might improve the diagnostic yield of multiplex PCR analysis. Ct values from the two sampling sites were compared as well as patient tolerability. Read More

Antivir Chem Chemother 2019 Jan-Dec;27:2040206619830197

2 Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.

Human metapneumovirus, a paramyxovirus discovered in 2001, is a major cause of lower respiratory infection in adults and children worldwide. There are no licensed vaccines or drugs for human metapneumovirus. We developed a fluorescent, cell-based medium-throughput screening assay for human metapneumovirus that captures inhibitors of all stages of the viral lifecycle except budding of progeny virus particles from the cell membrane. Read More

PLoS One 2019 13;14(2):e0211927. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Treatment with Daratumumab (Dara), a monoclonal anti-CD38 antibody of IgG1 subtype, is effective in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, Dara also impairs the cellular immunity, which in turn may lead to higher susceptibility to infections. The exact link between immune impairment and infectious complications is unclear. Read More

Vaccines (Basel) 2019 Feb 1;7(1). Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Office of Vaccines Research and Review, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants and the elderly. Although there is no licensed vaccine, RSV-F and -G glycoproteins are targets for vaccine development and therapeutics. We developed an assay that can detect anti-RSV-G IgG antibodies, either as a biomarker of natural exposure or immunization. Read More

Clin Microbiol Infect 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'épidémiologie et de Santé publique (IPLESP UMRS 1136), Paris, France; Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, UVSQ, UFR de Médecine, Versailles, France; Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris APHP, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Service de Médecine Interne, Boulogne Billancourt, France.

Objectives: We aimed to identify patients' clinical characteristics associated with respiratory viruses identified among patients presenting with influenza-like illness (ILI).

Methods: A sample of patients of all ages presenting with ILI was included by physicians of the French Sentinelles network during two seasons (2015/16 and 2016/17). Nasopharyngeal samples were tested for the presence of influenza virus (IV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus (HRV), and metapneumovirus (HMPV). Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Jan 30;9(1):929. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Numerous viruses can cause upper respiratory tract infections. They often precede serious lower respiratory tract infections. Each virus has a seasonal pattern, with peaks in activity in different seasons. Read More

J Med Virol 2019 Jan 30. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Infection and Immunity, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a crucial pathogen in children. A cell entry is the first step for infection. Our previous study indicated that there was an endocytosis pathway for hMPV cell entry. Read More

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Pediatric Infection.

Background: Acute viral respiratory infections are common causes of febrile episodes in children. There are still limited data about distribution of acute viral respiratory infections in children with cancer.

Objective: The first aim of this study was to evaluate the viral etiology and seasonality of acute viral respiratory infection in pediatric patients with cancer in a 3-year study. Read More

Front Microbiol 2018 9;9:3294. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology/Stem Cell Transplantation, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Highly immunocompromised pediatric and adult hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients frequently experience respiratory infections caused by viruses that are less virulent in immunocompetent individuals. Most of these infections, with the exception of rhinovirus as well as adenovirus and parainfluenza virus in tropical areas, are seasonal variable and occur before and after HCT. Infectious disease management includes sampling of respiratory specimens from nasopharyngeal washes or swabs as well as sputum and tracheal or tracheobronchial lavages. Read More

BMC Bioinformatics 2019 Jan 23;20(1):48. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

Background: With sequencing technologies becoming cheaper and easier to use, more groups are able to obtain whole genome sequences of viruses of public health and scientific importance. Submission of genomic data to NCBI GenBank is a requirement prior to publication and plays a critical role in making scientific data publicly available. GenBank currently has automatic prokaryotic and eukaryotic genome annotation pipelines but has no viral annotation pipeline beyond influenza virus. Read More

J Clin Virol 2019 Jan 16;112:15-19. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Children's Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom; Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Level 2, Children's Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.

Background: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a pneumovirus known to cause respiratory disease in children. It was identified as a pathogen in 2001 and its healthcare burden and associated costs are not fully understood.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics of children with HMPV infection admitted to paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) across the United Kingdom (UK) over a nine-year period and to estimate the associated costs of care. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2019 Feb;25(2):383-384

Human metapneumovirus is an emerging pathogen that causes upper and lower respiratory illness. Nursing home outbreaks of infection with this virus can cause severe illness and lead to poor patient outcomes. We report an outbreak investigation in a nursing home during 2018 and infection control guidelines to assist in disease control. Read More

Yonsei Med J 2019 Feb;60(2):216-222

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Purpose: The most common cause of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is respiratory infection. Most studies of bacterial or viral cause in AECOPD have been conducted in Western countries. We investigated bacterial and viral identification rates in AECOPD in Korea. Read More

J Med Virol 2019 Jan 19. Epub 2019 Jan 19.

Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Koç University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a recently detected virus, which can cause mild to severe respiratory tract infections. Through this study, we aimed to detail the outcomes of hMPV infections.

Materials/methods: Between January 2012 and November 2017, patients who had hMPV detected in nasopharyngeal or bronchoalveolar lavage by molecular respiratory pathogen tests were evaluated. Read More

Braz J Microbiol 2019 Jan 5;50(1):117-125. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Medical University, University Hospital Alexandrovska, Pediatric Clinic, 1 St. Georgi Sofiiski, 1431, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and hospital admissions in children. This study aimed to determine the viral etiology of these infections in children aged < 5 years during three successive epidemic seasons in Bulgaria. Nasopharyngeal and throat specimens were collected from children with bronchiolitis and pneumonia during the 2015/2016, 2016/2017, and 2017/2018 seasons. Read More

Braz J Microbiol 2019 Jan 30;50(1):133-137. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Medicine Department, Clinical Virology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Unit, Sao Paulo Federal University, Rua Pedro de Toledo, 781, 15 andar, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

In 2007, the new polyomaviruses WUPyV and KIPyV were identified in patients with acute respiratory infections. The aim of this study was to investigate these viruses in hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). A retrospective study was conducted with 251 patients, from April 2009 to November 2010, using nasopharyngeal aspirates, naso- and oropharyngeal swab samples from hospitalized patients (children < 12 years and adults) who had SARI within 7 days of the onset of symptoms, including fever (> 38. Read More

Indian J Pediatr 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Pediatrics, T.N. Medical College & B.Y.L. Nair Hospital, Mumbai, India.

Objective: To determine the frequency of respiratory pathogens in infants diagnosed with acute lower respiratory tract infections.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted in infants hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI), in a tertiary care hospital in a metropolitan city of Western India. Nasopharyngeal swabs were analyzed by multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction, for 18 viruses and 3 bacteria (H. Read More

J Biol Chem 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Unité de Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires, INRA, France.

As all the viruses belonging to the Mononegavirales order, the non-segmented negative strand RNA genome of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is encapsidated by the viral nucleoprotein N. N protein polymerizes along the genomic and anti-genomic RNAs during replication. This requires the maintenance of the neosynthesized N protein in a monomeric and RNA-free form by the viral phosphoprotein P that plays the role of a chaperone protein, forming a soluble N-P complex. Read More

Health Sci Rep 2018 Aug 18;1(8):e59. Epub 2018 Jul 18.

National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis Johannesburg South Africa.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of human bocavirus (hBoV), human coronaviruses (hCoV), and human polyomaviruses (hPyV) among patients with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI), in South Africa.

Methods: The study included 680 South African patients randomly selected in age-defined categories from hospitalised patients enrolled through SARI surveillance during 2012 to 2013. A multiplex reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was used to detect hBoV; hCoV-OC43, hCoV-229E, hCoV-NL63, and hCoV-HKU1; and Washington University hPyV (hPyV-WU) and Karolinska Insitute hPyV (hPyV-KI), in respiratory tract specimens collected from patients with SARI. Read More

Front Microbiol 2018 12;9:3097. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Pathology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States.

Survival rates for pediatric cancer have steadily improved over time but it remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among children. Infections are a major complication of cancer and its treatment. Community acquired respiratory viral infections (CRV) in these patients increase morbidity, mortality and can lead to delay in chemotherapy. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018 Dec 26. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Duke-Ruhuna Collaborative Research Centre, Galle, Sri Lanka.

The contribution of respiratory viruses to acute febrile illness (AFI) burden is poorly characterized. We describe the prevalence, seasonality, and clinical features of respiratory viral infection among AFI admissions in Sri Lanka. We enrolled AFI patients ≥ 1 year of age admitted to a tertiary care hospital in southern Sri Lanka, June 2012-October 2014. Read More

Vet Microbiol 2019 Jan 16;228:32-38. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Division of Avian Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, PR China. Electronic address:

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), which has been reported in many countries, causes an acute upper respiratory tract disease in chickens and turkeys. Although aMPV was first detected in China in 1999, there has been no further effort to isolate and characterize the aMPV subtype B (aMPV/B) from field outbreaks. In the present study, we used Vero cells to culture a viral strain, LN16, isolated from chickens with swollen head syndrome. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 6;9:2875. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Departamento de Genética Moleculary Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Millennium Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

The Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV) and the Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) are two pneumoviruses that are leading agents causing acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) affecting young infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients worldwide. Since these pathogens were first discovered, many approaches for the licensing of safe and effective vaccines have been explored being unsuccessful to date. We have previously described that immunization with recombinant strains of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (rBCG) expressing the hRSV nucleoprotein (rBCG-N) or the hMPV phosphoprotein (rBCG-P) induced immune protection against each respective virus. Read More

Ann Acad Med Singapore 2018 Nov;47(11):445-450

Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

Introduction: Respiratory virus (RV) infections have been implicated in acute exacerbation cardiopulmunary conditions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of RV infections in patients admitted to the cardiology unit with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in a tertiary hospitals in Singapore.

Materials And Methods: This was a single-centre, prospective observational study. Read More

J Infect Public Health 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

National Institute of Public Health Research (INSPI), Guayaquil, Ecuador; Universidad Agraria del Ecuador, Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Background: Respiratory viral infections (RVI) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. We compared the epidemiology and severity of RVI in Ecuador during 2009-2016.

Methods: Respiratory specimens collected within the national surveillance system were tested for influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, and human metapneumovirus. Read More

J Med Virol 2018 Dec 20. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Department of Medical Microbiology, Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.

Syndromic diagnosis by multiplex nucleic acid amplification tests is the most practical approach to respiratory tract infections since the symptoms are rarely agent-specific. The aim of this study was to investigate the respiratory viruses in children admitted to a university hospital with acute respiratory tract infection during the last 8 years by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. A total of 3162 respiratory samples collected from children between April 2011 and April 2018 tested by a multiplex real-time PCR assay. Read More

J Virol 2018 Dec 19. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom

The acute anti-viral response is mediated by a family of interferon stimulated genes (ISG), providing cell-intrinsic immunity. Mutations in genes encoding these proteins are often associated with increased susceptibility to viral infections. One family of ISGs with anti-viral function are the interferon-inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITM) of which IFITM3 has been studied extensively. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2019 Jan;25(1):15-24

Clinical features of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection have not been well documented for adults. We investigated clinical and radiologic features of HMPV infection in 849 adults in a tertiary hospital in South Korea. We classified patients into groups on the basis of underlying diseases: immunocompetent patients, solid tumor patients, solid organ transplantation recipients, hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, hematologic malignancy patients, and patients receiving long-term steroid treatment. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018 12 17;115(51):12878-12886. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Departments of Biology and Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802.

Vaccines and antimicrobial drugs both impose strong selection for resistance. Yet only drug resistance is a major challenge for 21st century medicine. Why is drug resistance ubiquitous and not vaccine resistance? Part of the answer is that vaccine resistance is far less likely to evolve than drug resistance. Read More

ACS Omega 2018 Nov 2;3(11):14732-14745. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Protein Structure, Function and Engineering Laboratory, Fundación Instituto Leloir, IIBBA, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, 1405 CABA, Argentina.

Among Mononegavirales, the Pneumovirus family stands out by its RNA polymerase processivity that relies on a transcription antiterminator, the M2-1 protein, which also plays a key role in viral particle assembly. Biophysical and structural evidence shows that this RNA-binding tetramer is strongly modulated by a CCCH Zn binding motif. We show that while the global dissociation/unfolding free energy is 10 kcal mol, more stable for the respiratory syncytial virus M2-1, the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) counterpart shows a 7 kcal mol higher intersubunit affinity. Read More

Vopr Virusol 2018 ;63(5):233-239

Federal State Research Institute of Influenza, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russian Federation.

The etiological structure of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections including their rate of incidence in St. Petersburg and Leningrad region during 4 epidemic seasons has been studied. Seasonality of some respiratory viruses was shown and peaks of circulation of RSV, adenovirus, parainfluenza viruses, rhinovirus, bocavirus, metapneumovirus and coronavirus were marked. Read More

Rev Med Virol 2018 Dec 12:e2024. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Respiratory infections, especially those of the lower respiratory tract, remain a foremost cause of mortality and morbidity of children greater than 5 years in developing countries including Pakistan. Ignoring these acute-level infections may lead to complications. Particularly in Pakistan, respiratory infections account for 20% to 30% of all deaths of children. Read More

Virusdisease 2018 Dec 20;29(4):434-444. Epub 2018 Oct 20.

Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida, U.P. 201301 India.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important pneumovirus which causes acute respiratory disease in human beings. The viral infection leads to mild to severe respiratory symptoms depending on the age and immune status of the infected individual. Several groups across the world are working on the development of immunogens and therapy to manage HMPV infection with promising results under laboratory conditions but till date any virus specific vaccine or therapy has not been approved for clinical use. Read More

Pediatr Rev 2018 Dec;39(12):623-624

Children's Medical Center, NYU Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, NY.

Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2019 Jan 4;13(1):3-9. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Leidos Biomedical Research Inc. in support of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland.

Background: The relationship between obesity and risk of complications described during the 2009 influenza pandemic is poorly defined for seasonal influenza and other viral causes of influenza-like illness (ILI).

Methods: An observational cohort of hospitalized and outpatient participants with ILI was conducted in six hospitals in Mexico. Nasopharyngeal swabs were tested for influenza and other common respiratory pathogens. Read More

Viruses 2018 12 1;10(12). Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Respiratory viral infections are strongly associated with asthma exacerbations. Rhinovirus is most frequently-detected pathogen; followed by respiratory syncytial virus; metapneumovirus; parainfluenza virus; enterovirus and coronavirus. In addition; viral infection; in combination with genetics; allergen exposure; microbiome and other pathogens; may play a role in asthma development. Read More

Int J Microbiol 2018 28;2018:8945142. Epub 2018 Oct 28.

Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal.

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are one of the major public health problems in developing countries like Nepal. Besides the influenza, several other pathogens are responsible for acute respiratory infection in children. Etiology of infections is poorly characterized at the course of clinical management, and hence empirical antimicrobial agents are used. Read More

Front Cell Neurosci 2018 26;12:386. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy (MIII), Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Central Nervous System (CNS) infections are one of the most critical problems in public health, as frequently patients exhibit neurologic sequelae. Usually, CNS pathologies are caused by known neurotropic viruses such as measles virus (MV), herpes virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), among others. However, nowadays respiratory viruses have placed themselves as relevant agents responsible for CNS pathologies. Read More

Pediatr Infect Dis J 2018 Dec;37(12):1217-1222

From the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

Background: Respiratory viruses cause acute respiratory illness (ARI) in early childhood, but their effect on subsequent ARI admissions is not fully understood. This study aimed to determine the association between initial ARI admission because of viruses including human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human adenovirus (HAdV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and the risk of ARI readmission in children.

Methods: Clinical information and nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from children <2 years old at their initial ARI admission in Nha Trang, Vietnam, from January 2007 to April 2012. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 24;9:2466. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory virus, first reported the year 2001. Since then, it has been described as one of the main etiological agents that causes acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs), which is characterized by symptoms such as bronchiolitis, wheezing and coughing. Susceptible population to hMPV-infection includes newborn, children, elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Read More

Front Microbiol 2018 19;9:2484. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Division of Neonatology, Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Although infrequent, respiratory viral infections (RVIs) during birth hospitalization have a significant impact on short- and long-term morbidity in term and preterm neonates. RVI have been associated with increased length of hospital stay, severe disease course, unnecessary antimicrobial exposure and nosocomial outbreaks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Virus transmission has been described to occur via health care professionals, parents and other visitors. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Nov 6;18(1):550. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA.

Background: The Study of Healthcare Personnel with Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses in Israel (SHIRI) prospectively follows a cohort of healthcare personnel (HCP) in two hospitals in Israel. SHIRI will describe the frequency of influenza virus infections among HCP, identify predictors of vaccine acceptance, examine how repeated influenza vaccination may modify immunogenicity, and evaluate influenza vaccine effectiveness in preventing influenza illness and missed work.

Methods: Cohort enrollment began in October, 2016; a second year of the study and a second wave of cohort enrollment began in June 2017. Read More

Virology 2019 01 31;526:138-145. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

VIPAC unit, ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety), Ploufragan/Plouzané laboratory, B.P.53, 22440 Ploufragan, France. Electronic address:

Subgroup C Avian Metapneumoviruses (AMPV-C) has two lineages, one mostly in turkeys and one mostly in ducks. To investigate the molecular basis of AMPV-C host tropism, a reverse genetics system for a duck AMPV-C virus was developed. A recombinant copy and a recombinant virus in which the SH protein had been exchanged for that of a turkey AMPV-C were rescued. Read More

Virol J 2018 10 30;15(1):167. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Key Laboratory for Medical Virology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 155 Changbai Street, Chang ping District, Beijing, 102206, China.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human Rhinovirus (HRV) and human Metapneumo Virus (HMPV) are important viral pathogens causing acute respiratory tract infections in the hospitalized patients. Sensitive and accurate detection of RSV, HRV and HMPV is necessary for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Results: A locked nucleic acid (LNA)-based multiplex closed one-tube nested real-time RT-PCR (mOTNRT-PCR) assay was developed for simultaneous detection of RSV, HRV and HMPV. Read More

J Med Virol 2019 Apr 13;91(4):549-554. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Centre for Global Child Health and Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Sick Kids Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Background: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children in low and middle-income countries. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of the most common viral etiological agents for ARIs in children.

Objectives: In this study, we explored the genotypic diversity and the epidemiology of hMPV among infants in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Read More

Braz J Infect Dis 2018 Sep - Oct;22(5):402-411. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Pediatria, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Objectives: The role of viral co-detection in children with severe acute respiratory infection is not clear. We described the viral detection profile and its association with clinical characteristics in children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) during the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic.

Method: Longitudinal observational retrospective study, with patients aged 0-18 years, admitted to 11 PICUs in Rio de Janeiro, with suspected H1N1 infection, from June to November, 2009. Read More