Both Human Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) and Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) cause immune-mediated under-five acute respiratory infections (ARI), but differences in their disease pathogenesis, if any, are not well-known. This study was undertaken to analyze the epidemio-clinico-immunological features of RSV and hMPV infections. Naso-pharyngeal aspirates from children (aged two months to five years) with ARI presenting to our tertiary care center between December 2013 to March 2016 were subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction for detection of RSV and hMPV. Positive samples were analyzed for co-infections and levels of cytokines. Of 349 naso-pharyngeal aspirates, RSV was detected in 40.68% (142/349), hMPV in 6.59% (23/349) and both in 1.4% (5/349). Co-infections were common, rhinovirus being the commonest co-offender. The demographical and clinical parameters of RSV- and hMPV-infected children were comparable. MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was significantly higher in RSV-mediated ARI and IFN-γ in hMPV-mediated ARI. Both RSV and hMPV are common among north Indian children with ARI and coinfections are not uncommon. Their clinical features being non-discriminatory, molecular diagnosis should be utilized to ascertain their individual epidemiology. The differences in their immune-pathogenesis (MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in RSV and IFN-γ in hMPV) could serve as useful tools for developing newer drugs.

人类呼吸道合胞病毒 (RSV) 和人类偏肺病毒 (hMPV) 都会引起免疫介导的 5 岁以下儿童急性呼吸道感染 (ARI)，但它们的疾病发病机制的差异（如果有的话）尚不为人所知。本研究旨在分析 RSV 和 hMPV 感染的流行病学-临床-免疫学特征。对 2013 年 12 月至 2016 年 3 月期间在我们的三级护理中心就诊的患有 ARI 的儿童（2 个月至 5 岁）的鼻咽抽吸物进行实时聚合酶链反应，以检测 RSV 和 hMPV。分析阳性样品的共感染和细胞因子水平。在 349 例鼻咽抽吸物中，RSV 检出率为 40.68% (142/349)，hMPV 检出率为 6.59% (23/349)，两者均为 1.4% (5/349)。共同感染很常见，鼻病毒是最常见的共同感染者。RSV 和 hMPV 感染儿童的人口统计学和临床​​参数具有可比性。MMP-9/TIMP-1 比率在 RSV 介导的 ARI 和 IFN-γ 在 hMPV 介导的 ARI 中显着更高。RSV 和 hMPV 在患有 ARI 的北印度儿童中很常见，并且合并感染并不少见。他们的临床特征是非歧视性的，应利用分子诊断来确定他们的个体流行病学。它们的免疫发病机制的差异（RSV 中的 MMP-9/TIMP-1 比率和 hMPV 中的 IFN-γ）可以作为开发新药的有用工具。他们的临床特征是非歧视性的，应利用分子诊断来确定他们的个体流行病学。它们的免疫发病机制的差异（RSV 中的 MMP-9/TIMP-1 比率和 hMPV 中的 IFN-γ）可以作为开发新药的有用工具。他们的临床特征是非歧视性的，应利用分子诊断来确定他们的个体流行病学。它们的免疫发病机制的差异（RSV 中的 MMP-9/TIMP-1 比率和 hMPV 中的 IFN-γ）可以作为开发新药的有用工具。