Molecular epidemiology of human metapneumovirus before and after COVID-19 in East Japan in 2017-2022

In this study, we analysed the sequences of hMPV isolates obtained from 2017 to 2022 in Tokyo and Fukushima, i.e., before and after COVID-19. Subgroup A hMPVs were detected in 2017 to 2019, and most cases were A2c111nt-dup, suggesting there was continuous momentum of this clade, identical to the global situation. Subgroup B, but not subgroup A, viruses were detected in 2022, after the COVID-19 peak. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these resumed subgroup B viruses were closely related to the viruses detected in 2013 to 2016 in Yokohama and in 2019 in Fukushima, suggesting a reappearance of local endemic viruses in East Japan.PMID:38171847 | DOI:10.7883/yoken.JJID.2023.350

Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases - January 3, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Kazuya Shirato Reiko Suwa Naganori Nao Miyuki Kawase Satoko Sugimoto Yohei Kume Mina Chishiki Takashi Ono Hisao Okabe Sakurako Norito Masatoki Sato Hiroko Sakuma Shigeo Suzuki Mitsuaki Hosoya Makoto Takeda Koichi Hashimoto Source Type: research