Dual infection of infants by human metapneumovirus and human respiratory syncytial virus is strongly associated with severe bronchiolitis

J Infect Dis. 2005 Feb 1;191(3):382-6. doi: 10.1086/426457. Epub 2004 Dec 23.

Abstract

The association between severe bronchiolitis and dual infection by human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) was investigated in <2-year-old infants with bronchiolitis who were admitted to the hospital during the 2001-2002 winter season. hMPV in nasopharyngeal aspirate and/or cells and fluid collected by nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). hRSV was detected in nasopharyngeal aspirate and/or cells and fluid collected by nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage by enzyme immunoassay, tissue culture, and RT-PCR. Dual infection with hMPV and hRSV confers a 10-fold increase in relative risk (RR) of admission to a pediatric intensive-care unit for mechanical ventilation (RR, 10.99 [95% confidence interval, 5.0-24.12]; P<.001, by Fisher exact test). Dual infection by hMPV and hRSV is associated with severe bronchiolitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bronchiolitis, Viral / physiopathology
  • Bronchiolitis, Viral / virology*
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / virology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Metapneumovirus / genetics
  • Metapneumovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Nasopharynx / virology
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / complications*
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / virology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / complications*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / virology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / genetics
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Severity of Illness Index*