Abstract | BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and the Netherlands human coronavirus (HCoV-NL63) have been isolated from children with respiratory tract infection. The prevalence of these viruses has not been reported from Saudi Arabia. We sought to determine whether hMPV and HCoV-NL63 are responsible for acute respiratory illness and also to determine clinical features and severity of illness in the hospitalized pediatric patient population. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective hospital-based study from July 2007 to November 2008. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nasopharyngeal specimens from children less than 16 years old who were suffering from acute respiratory diseases were tested for hMPV and HCoV-NL63 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Samples were collected from July 2007 to November 2008. RESULTS: CONCLUSION: hMPV and HCoV-NL63 are important causes of acute respiratory illness among hospitalized Saudi children. hMPV infection in the lower respiratory tract is associated with morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised children. HCoV-NL63 may cause severe lower respiratory disease with underlying conditions.
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Authors | Sami Al Hajjar, Sahar Al Thawadi, Amal Al Seraihi, Saleh Al Muhsen, Hala Imambaccus |
Journal | Annals of Saudi medicine
(Ann Saudi Med)
2011 Sep-Oct
Vol. 31
Issue 5
Pg. 523-7
ISSN: 0975-4466 [Electronic] Saudi Arabia |
PMID | 21911992
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Acute Disease
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Coronavirus
(isolation & purification)
- Coronavirus Infections
(epidemiology, virology)
- Female
- Hospitals
- Humans
- Immunocompromised Host
- Infant
- Male
- Metapneumovirus
(isolation & purification)
- Paramyxoviridae Infections
(epidemiology, virology)
- Prospective Studies
- Respiratory Tract Diseases
(epidemiology, virology)
- Saudi Arabia
(epidemiology)
- Severity of Illness Index
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