Description of Pathogen Human metapneumovirus (HMPV, MPV) was first described in 2001 by Dutch investigators who collected a number of unidentified virus isolates over a 20-year period. Electron micrograph and biochemical studies of the virus showed that it was pleomorphic…
Lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the US and other industrialized countries results in hospital admission for approximately 2% of all children in the first 12 months of life. By 2 years of age, most…
Mumps (i.e., epidemic parotitis) is an acute, vaccine-preventable disease of childhood that typically involves swelling of one or both parotid glands, although many different organs can be infected. Childhood mumps has become uncommon in the US since the widespread implementation…
Parainfluenza viruses (PIVs) were first identified in humans in the late 1950s. Human PIVs (PIVs) were initially described in children with croup and subsequently recognized as an important cause of acute respiratory tract infections in patients who are immunocompromised, have…
Overview of the Viruses Coronaviruses are included in the Coronaviridae family under the order Nidovirales. They are enveloped, non-segmented, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses named after their corona-like or crown-like surface projections seen on electron microscopy that correspond to large surface…
Rubella (i.e., German measles) is a benign, self-limited, vaccine-preventable viral illness. Acquired rubella is characterized by an exanthem and lymphadenopathy, although infants and children with rubella frequently are asymptomatic. Much of the morbidity attributed to rubella virus (RuV) occurs from…
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was first identified in 1989. Although substantially more prevalent among adults, HCV infection does occur in children and should be considered when relevant clinical or epidemiologic factors are present. , In recent years, new HCV infections…
Description of Pathogen The family Bunyaviridae was recently reclassified, with Bunyavirales becoming an order and several new family names being designated. , However, the genera that have important human pathogens have remained relatively unchanged and include Orthohantavirus, Orthonairovirus, Bandavirus, Phlebovirus…
The flaviviruses are single-stranded, enveloped RNA viruses that are transmitted to humans primarily through the bites of arthropods. Although >40 arthropod-borne flaviviruses have been described, this chapter discusses those that are most important in causing human illness: yellow fever virus…
Alphaviruses are arthropod-borne members of the family Togaviridae. They are small, enveloped, positive-sense RNA viruses. , Members of the western equine encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis serocomplexes cause encephalitis in equines and humans. Members of the Semliki…