Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
The study explored the main complications associated with human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a key cause of acute respiratory infections affecting vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. A bibliographic review analyzed 84 studies from PubMed, with 11 selected based on eligibility and methodological relevance. Findings revealed that hMPV could lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), encephalitis, and sepsis-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (SICM). Children under three years old, especially those with malnutrition or prematurity, were at higher risk for severe outcomes, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Among adults, hMPV was linked to mechanical ventilation needs and high bacterial coinfection rates. Preventive measures like hygiene control and early diagnosis proved essential, particularly in pediatric populations with congenital heart diseases. The lack of specific antivirals and effective vaccines underscores the need for advancements in research for treatment and prevention. The study concluded that hMPV imposes a significant morbidity and mortality burden, necessitating greater attention in clinical management and the development of mitigation strategies.
References
ANSTETT, S. et al. Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Secondary to Human Metapneumovirus Pulmonary Infection. R I Med J (2013), v. 105, n. 9, p. 31-33, 2022.
BASTA, M. N. Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in an Adult Patient With Human Metapneumovirus Infection Successfully Managed With Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth., 2024.
FALSEY, A. R. et al. Assessment of Illness Severity in Adults Hospitalized With Acute Respiratory Tract Infection due to Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or Human Metapneumovirus. Influenza Other Respir Viruses, v. 18, n. 5, 2024.
FALSEY, A. R. et al. Comparative assessment of reported symptoms of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and human metapneumovirus infection during hospitalization and post-discharge assessed by Respiratory Intensity and Impact Questionnaire. Influenza Other Respir Viruses, v. 16, n. 1, p. 79-89, 2022.
HUANG, K. et al. [Analysis of the clinical features and the risk factors of severe human metapneumovirus-associated community acquired pneumonia in children]. Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi, v. 61, n. 4, p. 322-327, 2023.
INGRAM, T.; EVBUOMWAN, M. O.; JYOTHIDASAN, A. A Case Report of Sepsis-Induced Dilated Cardiomyopathy Secondary to Human Metapneumovirus Infection. Cureus, v. 16, n. 4, 2024.
LAMICHHANE, J. et al. Burden of human metapneumovirus infections among children with acute respiratory tract infections attending a Tertiary Care Hospital, Kathmandu. BMC Pediatr., v. 23, n. 1, p. 388, 2023.
LEISTER, N. et al. Human metapneumovirus infection in the cardiac paediatric ICU before and during COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort analysis. Cardiol Young, v. 33, n. 9, p. 1517-1522, 2023.
MORI, A. et al. A nationwide survey of human metapneumovirus-associated encephalitis/encephalopathy in Japan. Brain Dev., v. 45, n. 4, p. 197-204, 2023.
PHILIPPOT, Q. et al. Human metapneumovirus infection is associated with a substantial morbidity and mortality burden in adult inpatients. Heliyon, v. 10, n. 13, 2024.
SOTO, J. A. et al. Human Metapneumovirus: Mechanisms and Molecular Targets Used by the Virus to Avoid the Immune System. Front Immunol., v. 9, p. 2466, 2018.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Cezar Ernani Mancini, Luiz Eduardo Okada Barbosa, Stephano Rodrigo Silva Xavier, Daniel Nassau de Araujo, Tayana da Silva Moura Garcia, Diego Salles Granzinoli, Bruna Sobral Nogueira, Guilherme Pinto Dantas, Antonio Augusto Ribeiro Antunes, Camilla Virgínio Rocha da Costa, Jessica Pereira Macêdo, Danielle Mistieri Matheus