Citation, DOI & article data
Citation:
Weerakkody, Y., Fahrenhorst-Jones, T. Human metapneumovirus pulmonary infection. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 26 May 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-99204
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) pulmonary infection is a recently detected condition reported to cause mild to severe respiratory tract infection, particularly in children, immunocompromised patients, and the elderly 6.
Pathology
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is an RNA virus and was first described in 2001. It is a common pathogen and can cause acute viral respiratory tract infections in all age groups.
IgG antibodies against HMPV have been detected in up to 100% of persons with reinfection being common 1.
Radiographic features
Chest x-ray
Changes can be nonspecific and be of a variable pattern. In children according to one study 2:
- parahilar / peri-bronchovascular opacities were the most commonly observed abnormality (87% of children with HMPV).
- lungs may also hyperinflated
- atelectasis (40%) and consolidation (18%) have been less frequently described.
CT
Nonspecific changes with ground-glass opacity have been the most commonly reported findings with nodular consolidation described in a lesser number of patients 3.
Involvement can often be bilateral.
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- 2. Hilmes M, Daniel Dunnavant F, Singh S et al. Chest Radiographic Features of Human Metapneumovirus Infection in Pediatric Patients. Pediatr Radiol. 2017;47(13):1745-50. doi:10.1007/s00247-017-3943-5 - Pubmed
- 3. Keske Ş, Gümüş T, Köymen T, Sandıkçı S, Tabak L, Ergönül Ö. Human Metapneumovirus Infection: Diagnostic Impact of Radiologic Imaging. J Med Virol. 2019;91(6):958-62. doi:10.1002/jmv.25402 - Pubmed
- 4. Franquet T. Imaging of Pulmonary Viral Pneumonia. Radiology. 2011;260(1):18-39. doi:10.1148/radiol.11092149 - Pubmed
- 5. Sumitomo K, Morizumi S, Takahashi K et al. Human Metapneumovirus-Associated Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults During the First Wave of COVID-19. J Rural Med. 2021;16(4):263-9. doi:10.2185/jrm.2021-035 - Pubmed
- 6. Shafagati N & Williams J. Human Metapneumovirus - What We Know Now. F1000Res. 2018;7:135. doi:10.12688/f1000research.12625.1 - Pubmed
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