Genetic characterization of HPAI (H5N1) viruses from poultry and wild vultures, Burkina Faso.

Genetic analysis of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) viruses from poultry and hooded vultures in Burkina Faso shows that these viruses belong to 1 of 3 sublineages initially found in Nigeria and later in other African countries. Hooded vultures could potentially be vectors or sentinels of influenza subtype H5N1, as are cats and swans elsewhere.

Human metapneumovirus infection in hospital referred South African children.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was first described in Dutch children with acute respiratory symptoms. A prospective analysis of the epidemiology, clinical manifestation, and seroprevalence of hMPV and other respiratory viruses in South African children referred to hospital for upper or lower respiratory tract infection were carried out during a single winter season, by using RT-PCR, viral culture, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In nasopharyngeal aspirates from 137 children, hMPV was detected by RT-PCR in 8 (5.8%) children (2-43 months of age) as a sole viral pathogen, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in 21 (15%), influenza A virus in 18 (13%) and influenza B virus in 20 (15%). Pneumonia was diagnosed in seven children and upper respiratory tract infection in one of the hMPV-infected children. One hMPV-infected child was admitted to the intensive care unit in need of mechanical ventilation and one child was infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). No statistically significant differences were found between hMPV, RSV, and influenza virus infected groups with regard to clinical signs and symptoms and chest radiograph findings. The seropositive rate of hMPV specific IgG antibodies was 92% in children aged 24-36 months, the oldest seronegative child in our study was 7 years and 6 months of age. In conclusion, hMPV contributes to upper and lower respiratory tract morbidity in South African children.

Clinical impact and diagnosis of human metapneumovirus infection.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory infections are the most common illnesses experienced by people of all ages worldwide. A portion of hitherto unexplained viral respiratory tract illnesses (RTIs) can now be attributed to the human metapneumovirus (hMPV), which was discovered in 2001. Several surveys on the burden of disease of hMPV infection have been conducted in various study groups and with different diagnostic assays. To estimate the impact of hMPV infection in a hospital setting and in the community at large, we reviewed these surveys to establish the burden of disease of hMPV infection. METHODS: Published data and our own additional unpublished data on the clinical impact of hMPV infection were reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Worldwide, hMPV infections account for at least 5 to 7% of the RTI in hospitalized children, but immunocompromised and elderly individuals are also at risk. In the general community hMPV infections account for at least 3% of patients who visit a general practitioner for RTI. The seasonality of hMPV infections resembles that for respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus infections, with recurrent epidemics during the winter months. Clinical symptoms and laboratory findings associated with hMPV infection exhibit a spectrum virtually indistinguishable from those associated with respiratory syncytial virus disease. The development of diagnostic assays must take into account the existence of two hMPV serotypes.

Avian influenza H5N1 in tigers and leopards.

Influenza virus is not known to affect wild felids. We demonstrate that avian influenza A (H5N1) virus caused severe pneumonia in tigers and leopards that fed on infected poultry carcasses. This finding extends the host range of influenza virus and has implications for influenza virus epidemiology and wildlife conservation.