Molecular Study of Human Metapneumovirus in Children among Respiratory Tract Infection in Najaf Province, Iraq

Abstract

humanMetapneumovirus(hMPV) is a paramyxovirus that is an uncommon cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children, elderly and immunocompromised patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Najaf province throughout from November 2020, to February 2021, a total of 100 patients suspected of having RTIs, this study including ages from less than one to five years. One type of respiratory sample was collected from nasopharyngeal swabs, Real-Time-PCR assay was used for molecular detection of hMPV by Fusion (F) gene primer, the result revealed that out of 100 specimens, 53% specimens were positive hMPV, the specimens were divided based on age groups, gender, geographic distribution, and feeding pattern, after that the ages were divided into five categories, less than one, (1-2),(2-3),(3-4), and (4-5) years, and the no significant difference were found age distribution and the (P>0.005), the highest rate of infection with hMPV was the group less than one year, which was (37.7%), compared to other groups. The results were also shown according to the gender distribution of the boys were more infected with the hMPV compared to girls, where was their (60.4%), and there was a significant difference (p<0.005). however, there were no significant differences between the geographical distribution and feeding pattern where (p>0.005).