Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV): Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Clinical Management, and Future Prospects in Treatment and Prevention
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56778/rjhs.v2i3.417Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a significant respiratory pathogen that primarily impacts children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. This article provides a comprehensive overview of HMPV, highlighting its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and current treatment approaches. Key research objectives are delineated, emphasizing the importance of understanding molecular mechanisms, epidemiological trends, and therapeutic strategies. This review also explores the historical discovery of HMPV, its clinical manifestations ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infections to severe lower respiratory conditions, and its disease progression. A detailed treatment algorithm outlines both pharmacologic options, such as experimental antivirals and monoclonal antibodies, and non-pharmacologic measures, including oxygen therapy and preventive strategies. Comparisons with SARS-CoV-2 underscore similarities in clinical spectrum and transmission while emphasizing critical differences in epidemiology and available treatments. Current research findings are analyzed to provide insights into the global burden of HMPV and its interaction with other respiratory viruses. Finally, future prospects in vaccine development, diagnostic advancements, and public health measures are discussed to highlight the need for continued research and global preparedness.
References
AlBahrani, S., Al Otaibi, T. O., Alqahtani, J. S., AlZahrani, S. J., Sharbini, D. A., AlMuyidi, F. W., Alotaibi, A. O., Olayan, O. A. A., AlMasoud, S. F., Bo Obaid, M. A. H., Altawfiq, K. J. A., Jebakumar, A. Z., & Al-Tawfiq, J. A. (2024). The impact of non-pharmacologic interventions on respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective study from Saudi Arabia. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 17(1), 96–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2023.11.010
Alefishat, E., Jelinek, H. F., Mousa, M., Tay, G. K., & Alsafar, H. S. (2022). Immune response to SARS-CoV-2 variants: A focus on severity, susceptibility, and preexisting immunity. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 15(2), 277–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2022.01.007
Burrell, R., Saravanos, G., & Britton, P. N. (2023). Unintended impacts of COVID-19 on the epidemiology and burden of paediatric respiratory infections. Paediatric Respiratory Reviews, S1526054223000441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prrv.2023.07.004
Chou, J., Thomas, P. G., & Randolph, A. G. (2022). Immunology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. Nature Immunology, 23(2), 177–185. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-021-01123-9
Costa-Filho, R. C., Saddy, F., Costa, J. L. F., Tavares, L. R., & Castro Faria Neto, H. C. (2025). The Silent Threat of Human Metapneumovirus: Clinical Challenges and Diagnostic Insights from a Severe Pneumonia Case. Microorganisms, 13(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13010073
Danielle, R. C. S., Débora, D. M., Alessandra, N. L. P., Alexia, S. S. Z., Débora, M. C. R., Elizabel, N. V., Felipe, A. M., Giulia, M. G., Henrique, P. R., Karen, R. M. B., Layane, S. B., Leandro, A. B., Livia, C. M., Raquel, S. R. T., Lorena, S. C. A., Lyvia, N. R. A., Mariana, T. R., Matheus, C. C., Vinícius, D. P. V., … Iúri, D. L. (2024). Correlating COVID-19 severity with biomarker profiles and patient prognosis. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 22353. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71951-w
De Jesús-González, L. A., León-Juárez, M., Lira-Hernández, F. I., Rivas-Santiago, B., Velázquez-Cervantes, M. A., Méndez-Delgado, I. M., Macías-Guerrero, D. I., Hernández-Castillo, J., Hernández-Rodríguez, X., Calderón-Sandate, D. N., Mata-Martínez, W. S., Reyes-Ruíz, J. M., Osuna-Ramos, J. F., & García-Herrera, A. C. (2024). Advances and Challenges in Antiviral Development for Respiratory Viruses. Pathogens, 14(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14010020
Eythorsson, E., Helgason, D., Ingvarsson, R. F., Bjornsson, H. K., Olafsdottir, L. B., Bjarnadottir, V., Runolfsdottir, H. L., Bjarnadottir, S., Agustsson, A. S., Oskarsdottir, K., Thorvaldsson, H. H., Kristjansdottir, G., Armannsdottir, B., Bjarnason, A., Johannsson, B., Gudlaugsson, O., Gottfredsson, M., Sigurdsson, M. I., Indridason, O. S., & Palsson, R. (2020). Clinical spectrum of coronavirus disease 2019 in Iceland: Population based cohort study. BMJ, m4529. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4529
Feng, Y., He, T., Zhang, B., Yuan, H., & Zhou, Y. (2024). Epidemiology and diagnosis technologies of human metapneumovirus in China: A mini review. Virology Journal, 21(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-024-02327-9
Gandhi, L., Maisnam, D., Rathore, D., Chauhan, P., Bonagiri, A., & Venkataramana, M. (2022). Respiratory illness virus infections with special emphasis on COVID-19. European Journal of Medical Research, 27(1), 236. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-022-00874-x
Guo, L., Li, L., Liu, L., Zhang, T., & Sun, M. (2023). Neutralising antibodies against human metapneumovirus. The Lancet Microbe, 4(9), e732–e744. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00134-9
Hu, T., Miles, A. C., Pond, T., Boikos, C., Maleki, F., Alfred, T., Lopez, S. M. C., & McGrath, L. (2024). Economic burden and secondary complications of influenza-related hospitalization among adults in the US: A retrospective cohort study. Journal of Medical Economics, 27(1), 324–336. https://doi.org/10.1080/13696998.2024.2314429
Huang, Y., Guo, X., Wu, Y., Chen, X., Feng, L., Xie, N., & Shen, G. (2024). Nanotechnology’s frontier in combatting infectious and inflammatory diseases: Prevention and treatment. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 9(1), 34. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-024-01745-z
Ji, W., Chen, Y., Han, S., Dai, B., Li, K., Li, S., Li, Z., Chen, S., Zhang, Y., Zhang, X., Li, X., Wang, Q., Zheng, J., Wang, C., Liang, Q., Han, S., Zhang, R., Wang, F., & Jin, Y. (2024). Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 96 pediatric human metapneumovirus infections in Henan, China after COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective analysis. Virology Journal, 21(1), 100. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-024-02376-0
Miyakawa, R., Zhang, H., Brooks, W. A., Prosperi, C., Baggett, H. C., Feikin, D. R., Hammitt, L. L., Howie, S. R. C., Kotloff, K. L., Levine, O. S., Madhi, S. A., Murdoch, D. R., O’Brien, K. L., Scott, J. A. G., Thea, D. M., Antonio, M., Awori, J. O., Bunthi, C., Driscoll, A. J., … Deloria Knoll, M. (2024). Epidemiology of human metapneumovirus among children with severe or very severe pneumonia in high pneumonia burden settings: The Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health (PERCH) study experience. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, S1198743X24005056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2024.10.023
Pagliano, P., Sellitto, C., Conti, V., Ascione, T., & Esposito, S. (2021). Characteristics of viral pneumonia in the COVID-19 era: An update. Infection, 49(4), 607–616. https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-021-01603-y
Verma, M., Kumar, A., Kumar, S., Mehta, R., Sah, R., & Verma, A. (2025). Human Metapneumovirus – A clickbait crisis or a real pandemic threat? Clinical Infection in Practice, 25, 100410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinpr.2025.100410
Veronese, A., Uršič, T., Bizjak Vojinovič, S., & Rodman Berlot, J. (2024). Exploring Clinical Predictors of Severe Human Metapneumovirus Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: Insights from a Recent Outbreak. Microorganisms, 12(4), 641. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040641
Von Delft, A., Hall, M. D., Kwong, A. D., Purcell, L. A., Saikatendu, K. S., Schmitz, U., Tallarico, J. A., & Lee, A. A. (2023). Accelerating antiviral drug discovery: Lessons from COVID-19. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 22(7), 585–603. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41573-023-00692-8
Waghmode, R., Jadhav, S., & Nema, V. (2021). The Burden of Respiratory Viruses and Their Prevalence in Different Geographical Regions of India: 1970–2020. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 723850. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.723850
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 RADINKA JOURNAL OF HEALTH SCIENCE
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="qBtkk8rnBm0ZRgy_14UYrahahLnkC844dKsDOFjzrn4" />
