Molecular detection and genetic characterization of human metapneumovirus strains circulating in Islamabad, Pakistan.

ABSTRACT: Lower respiratory illness is one of the leading causes of death among children in low- and high-income countries. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a key contributor to respiratory illnesses commonly reported among children and causes serious clinical complications ranging from mild respiratory infections to severe lower respiratory tract anomalies mainly in the form of bronchiolitis and pneumonia. However, due to the lack of a national surveillance system, the clinical significance of hMPV remains obscure in the Pakistani population. This study was conducted to screen throat swabs samples collected from 127 children reported with respiratory symptoms at a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad. Out of 127, 21 (16.5%) samples were positive for hMPV with its genotype distribution as A2a (10%), A

SUBMITTER: Arshad Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8857187 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature