Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Metapneumovirus Infection Have Different Clinical Presentation in Children

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), members of Pneumoviridae family are common causes of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) among children. Study material includes routine nasopharyngeal samples obtained during 8-year period for hMPV and one single season for RSV in children aged 0 to 15 years at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Saint Pierre in Brussels. Positive samples for RSV or hMPV identified by viral culture, lateral flow chromatography test for RSV or direct fluorescent assay for hMPV were selected retrospectively. The medical charts of these patients were reviewed. Hospitalization rate was 37% (219/591) and 39% (187/476) for hMPV and RSV respectively. Children hospitalized for RSV infection were significantly younger and more dyspneic, requiring more respiratory support, longer hospital stay and transfers in Pediatric intensive Care Units (PICU) than those hospitalized for hMPV infection. Pneumonia diagnostic and antibiotics therapies were more significantly associated with hMPV infections.In conclusion, despite their genetic similarities, RSV and hMPV present epidemiological and clinical differences in pediatric infections.