Human Metapneumovirus, Peru

Abstract

We retrospectively studied 420 pharyngeal swab specimens collected from Peruvian and Argentinean patients with influenzalike illness in 2002 and 2003 for evidence of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Twelve specimens (2.3%) were positive by multiple assays. Six specimens yielded HMPV isolates. Four of the 6 isolates were of the uncommon B1 genotype.

Keywords

• Metapneumovirus
• pneumovirinae
• respiratory tract infections
• epidemiology
• genotyping
• Latin America