Human metapneumovirus prevalence during 2019-2021 in Israel is influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives: To compare infection rates and circulating subtypes of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) before (2019-2020) and after the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (2021) in Israel. Methods: In total, 12,718 respiratory samples were collected from hospitalized patients of all ages during the years 2019 to 2021 at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel and subjected to reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction analysis. In addition, whole-genome sequencing was performed to characterize the subtypes of hMPV circulating in Israel between 2019 and 2021. Results: A total of 481 samples were found positive for hMPV. Before the emergence of COVID-19, hMPV peaked in winter months and declined thereafter. In sharp contrast, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed a delayed peak in hMPV infection cases and higher infection of young children. Viral sequencing showed a shift in the most prevalent circulating hMPV strain from A2b to B1 during the years 2019, 2020, and 2021. Conclusion: Compared with the years before the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021, hMPV mostly affected young children, and the most prevalent circulating subtype shifted from A2b in 2019 to B1.(C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.

Automated summary

This study compared the infection rates and circulating subtypes of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in Israel before (2019-2020) and after the emergence of COVID-19 (2021). The results showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a delayed peak in hMPV infection cases and higher infection rates among young children. Viral sequencing also revealed a shift in the most prevalent circulating hMPV subtype during the study period.