Human metapneumovirus infection in a cohort of young asymptomatic subjects

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a recently described cause of respiratory infection. The purpose of this study was to to further the available information on the circulation of HMPV among young asymptomatic subjects. The epidemiology of HMPV was examined in a cohort of 73 university students during a winter season by using polymerase chain reaction. HPMV was detected in 3/73 (4.1%) asymptomatic subjects. Phylogenetic analysis has shown that circulating viruses belonged to different HMPV sublineages. Our findings indicate that asymptomatic carriage of HMPV might be a neglected source of viral transmission in the community.