Seroepidemiological study of human metapneumovirus in New Delhi, India.

PURPOSE: There are a few seroepidemiological studies reported on human metapneumovirus (hMPV) as hMPV was only discovered in the year 2001. This respiratory virus has been reported to be ubiquitous and associated with respiratory tract infections in all age groups. The present study aimed at determining the prevalence of antibodies to hMPV in children and adults of 1 month to 55 years of age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum samples from 100 study subjects were tested for hMPV antibody by an in-house ELISA system that used hMPV-infected cell lysate antigen.

RESULT: The prevalence of antibody to hMPV was lowest in children less than 5 years of age (60%) and increased throughout age to > 80%. Similarly, geometric mean titres were 1:180 in children less than 5 years of age and reached a peak of 1:419 in adults over 35 years of age.

CONCLUSION: The results show that hMPV infection is acquired early in life and re-infection in later life may maintain the seroprevalence and antibody levels in adult population.