Virus
Human metapneumovirus
RSV-like bronchiolitis and pneumonia
HYOO-mun MET-uh-noo-moh-VY-rus
High-yield clue
An RSV-like winter/spring bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children and elderly patients points to human metapneumovirus.
Overview
An enveloped negative-sense RNA virus in family Pneumoviridae that causes lower respiratory infection closely resembling RSV, important as a common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in young children and older adults.
Classification
- RNA virus
- Negative-sense single-stranded RNA
- Enveloped
- Family Pneumoviridae, genus Metapneumovirus
Lab & identification clues
- Pneumoviridae classification concept
- Multiplex respiratory PCR detection vocabulary
- Nasopharyngeal sampling concept
- Clinical overlap with RSV vocabulary
Associations
- Bronchiolitis and pneumonia in young children
- Lower respiratory disease in the elderly and immunocompromised
- Late-winter to spring seasonality
- Respiratory-droplet and contact spread
Commonly confused with
- Respiratory syncytial virus
- Parainfluenza virus
Frequently asked questions
What is Human metapneumovirus?
An enveloped negative-sense RNA virus in family Pneumoviridae that causes lower respiratory infection closely resembling RSV, important as a common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in young children and older adults.
What are the lab clues for Human metapneumovirus?
Lab clues for Human metapneumovirus include Pneumoviridae classification concept, Multiplex respiratory PCR detection vocabulary, Nasopharyngeal sampling concept, and Clinical overlap with RSV vocabulary.
What is Human metapneumovirus commonly confused with?
Human metapneumovirus is commonly confused with Respiratory syncytial virus and Parainfluenza virus.
Original student-study summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment, dosing, or specimen-handling guidance.