Abstract

AN OVERVIEW OF THE HUMAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS AS A SIGNIFICANT RESPIRATORY PATHOGEN

Mir Irfan Soyel*, Malay Besra, Biplab Kumar Chakra, Sumit Maji, Mousumi Das,

Abstract

A serious respiratory infection, human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was discovered for the first time in the Netherlands in 2001. The genus Metapneumovirus, subfamily Pneumovirinae, and family Paramyxoviridae are its members. In all age groups, but especially in small children, the elderly, and people with impaired immune systems, hMPV is a major contributor to respiratory tract infections. It shares a strong relationship with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). hMPV is found all over the world and causes a significant number of respiratory diseases. Usually occurring in late winter or early spring, seasonal outbreaks coexist with other respiratory viruses such as influenza and RSV. By the age of five, practically all children have been exposed to hMPV, and reinfections are frequent throughout life. From minor upper respiratory tract infections to serious lower respiratory tract diseases, hMPV can cause a wide range of respiratory ailments. The respiratory tract's epithelial cells are the main target of hMPV infection. It triggers an inflammatory reaction marked by the production of cytokines and the infiltration of immune cells. Similar to RSV, it can cause mucus formation and epithelium damage, which can clog airways. The virus is a target for vaccine development because it uses the fusion (F) protein for viral entrance and cell-to-cell dissemination while lacking hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. A major respiratory pathogen that causes acute respiratory infections all throughout the world is the human metapneumovirus. Despite having many clinical and epidemiological similarities to RSV, more study is necessary to create efficient therapies and vaccines that will lessen the disease's impact on public health.

Keywords: Human metapneumovirus, Respiratory diseases, Viral pneumonia, Clinical features of hMPV, hMPV Diagnosis.