Human Metapneumovirus Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Aug 06, 2021
  • Author: Varvara Probst, MD; Chief Editor: Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MBBS, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Codetection of Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) with other viral respiratory pathogens has been documented in several studies and reported in various frequencies and different settings, but clinical significance in these situations remains unclear. [37, 38, 39, 40]  For example, one prospective cohort study showed that codetection of hMPV with other respiratory viruses was twice higher in outpatient settings than inpatient (22.9% vs 11.7%) that was mostly due to codetected adenovirus. [71]  RSV and hMPV codetection was found in 70% of children with RSV infection who required intensive care in Liverpool, United Kingdom. [37] In addition, Semple et al showed that the rate of intensive care admissions and mechanical ventilation in patients who had codetection between RSV and hMPV was greater than in infection with either pathogen alone. [39] However, other studies have not shown that codetection plays a significant role in disease severity. [38, 41]  There are multiple reports showing hMPV codetection with  SARS-CoV-2. [75, 73, 74]  However, further research is needed to definitively elucidate the clinical impact of codetection.

 

Differential Diagnoses