Abstract
The human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a new Pneumovirinae related to the avian metapneumovirus type C. hMPV genome differs from human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) genome by the gene order and the lack of nonstructural genes. Two genetic sub-groups and four sub-types of hMPV are identified. hMPV infections evolve as regular winter outbreaks which have roughly the same size and overlaping RSV epidemics. Among hospitalized children in Caen, hMPV is detected in 9.7% of the cases after RSV (37%), rhinovirus (18%), influenza virus (14.5%), adenovirus (9%), and parainfluenza virus (5%). Most of hMPV infections are observed in children suffering from bronchiolitis, but the localization to lower respiratory tract and the severity of the disease are less frequent in comparison with RSV infections. hMPV is very difficult to isolate using cell culture. Up to now, the only way for hMPV diagnosis was the TS-CRP assays. But the recent apparition of direct antigenic tests allows us to get a fair, rapid, and economic diagnostic tool.