Testing for human metapneumovirus

First identified in 2001, hMPV is recognised increasingly as a significant cause of respiratory disease in children and adults (although it is predominantly associated with respiratory infections in young children up to two years of age), causing symptoms that range from mild upper respiratory tract illness to more severe lower respiratory tract diseases such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

Evidence suggests that this virus is an important human pathogen, with a prevalence and clinical significance comparable to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and its inclusion in routine laboratory testing protocols is recommended.

IMAGEN hMPV is a one-step direct immunofluorescence technique that utilises monoclonal antibodies conjugated to a fluorescent dye to detect specific viral antigens expressed in all strains of hMPV. Following a 15-minute incubation, specimens are mounted on a slide and viewed under epifluorescence illumination to detect a bright applegreen fluorescence in infected cells.

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