Study on the role of human metapneumovirus ( hMNV) as causative agent of acute respiratory infections amongst Sri Lankan patients

Abstract

Objective of this study to determine whether hMPV is a etiological agent of acute respiratory tract infections in Sri Lanka. To determine the role of hMPV in the acute respiratory tract infections in Sri Lanka. To determine the prevalence of influenza. A viruses among patients with acute respiratory tract infection ( ARTIs). One hundred ( n=100) m nasopharyngeal aspirate ( NPA) samples were obtained from patients who sought treatment for acute respiratory symptoms at out patient department . Teaching Hospital Ragama. Of the 100 samples tested, non had evidence of hmpv infection. On the other hand , M gene for influenza A was identified in 21/100 ( 21.0 percent ) patients. hmPV was not isolated from the 100 NPA samples obtained from patients presented with four days history of ARTLs. Additional studies are required to determine the role of hzmpv in Sri Lanka. However, influenza A virus appears to play a role in ARTLs in Sri Lanka.