Phylogenetic analysis of human metapneumovirus detected in hospitalized patients in Kuwait during the years 2009–2011

ABSTRACT

Human metapneumovirus [hMPV] is an important cause of both upper and lower respiratory tract infections [RTIs] in all age groups. Children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are the most affected groups. HMPV infection accounts for 5% of hospitalized patients with respiratory tract infections in Kuwait. It is mostly detected among infants and elderly age groups, and both hMPV genotypes A and B circulate in Kuwait. In this study, the genetic diversity of detected hMPV was evaluated, and a phylogenetic analysis based on partial nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the G gene was performed for hMPV detected among hospitalized patients with RTIs. Our results showed that 62% of hMPV sequences belonged to the A genotype and 38% to the B genotype. A2b and B2 subtypes were detected and circulated during the study period, whereas A1 and B1 subtypes were not detected. Based on nucleotide sequences of the G gene, most of hMPV strains [57%] were clustered with Indian strains, followed by Greek strains [24%] and Canadian strains [14%]. One strain [5%] clustered within the B genotype but had different branches than B1 and B2 branches. Our data showed the co-circulation of hMPV genotypes A2b and B2 in Kuwait with genetic diversity suggestive of evolution through negative selection