Community-Based Epidemiology and Genomic Analysis of Human Metapneumovirus in Seattle
Overview
This study analyzed human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infections from 2018 to 2022 in Seattle, Washington, using community and clinical specimens. It found higher hMPV positivity in clinical settings compared to community settings, with young children (0–4 years) showing the highest positivity rates. Key risk factors included lower household income and recent international travel, and multiple hMPV subtypes co-circulated before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background
Human metapneumovirus is a significant cause of acute respiratory illness, especially in young children and older adults. Community-based epidemiology of hMPV remains under-characterized, limiting understanding of transmission dynamics and risk factors outside clinical settings. Genomic data on hMPV subtypes are sparse but important for vaccine development and monitoring viral evolution. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hMPV circulation and subtype prevalence has not been well studied, particularly in community populations.
Data Highlights
Setting
Specimens Tested
hMPV Positivity
Age Group (0–4 years) Positivity
Clinical
21,539
835 (3.9%)
497/10,213 (4.9%)
Community
28,348
167 (0.6%)
28/1,640 (1.7%)
Key Findings
hMPV positivity was significantly higher in clinical specimens (3.9%) than community specimens (0.6%).
Children aged 0–4 years had the highest positivity rates in both settings: 4.9% clinical and 1.7% community.
Lower household income (≤US$100,000) was associated with increased odds of hMPV positivity (aOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.07–2.85).
Recent international travel was strongly associated with hMPV positivity (aOR 6.51, 95% CI 3.11–12.22).
Whole genome sequencing of 209 samples revealed co-circulation of hMPV subtypes A2b, A2c, B1, and B2 in both community and clinical settings.
Subtype B1 increased in prevalence after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clinical Implications
Clinicians should be aware that young children and individuals with recent international travel or lower socioeconomic status may be at higher risk for hMPV infection. Surveillance in both community and clinical settings is important to capture the full epidemiology of hMPV. Understanding subtype circulation can inform vaccine development and guide public health interventions, especially as vaccines become available.
Conclusion
This study highlights the epidemiological and genomic characteristics of hMPV in a community and clinical context, emphasizing key risk factors and subtype dynamics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings provide essential baseline data to inform future vaccine policy and public health strategies.
References
Williams et al. 2023 -- Community-Based Epidemiological Study of Human Metapneumovirus Infections in Seattle, Washington, USA
by Annalyse Elias-Warren, Julia C Bennett, Chidozie D Iwu, Lea M Starita, Jeremy Stone, Ben Capodanno, Robin Prentice, Peter D Han, Zack Acker, Sally B Grindstaff, David Reinhart, Jennifer K Logue, Caitlin R Wolf, Michael Boeckh, Kevin Kong, Hong Xie, Geon Kim, Alexander L Greninger, Amanda C Perofsky, Cécile Viboud, Timothy M Uyeki, Janet A Englund, Pavitra Roychoudhury, Helen Y Chu
