Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) – pro
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a recently identified member of a family of viruses. It was identified in 2001 in the Netherlands, but it most likely has been causing respiratory illnesses for at least 50 years worldwide. Human metapneumovirus can cause upper and lower respiratory tract infections in people of all ages. Ribavirin, which has broad antiviral activity, has been shown to have activity against hMPV in vitro. Additionally, treatment with ribavirin in hMPV-infected cotton rats demonstrated decreased viral replication in the lungs and decreased pulmonary inflammation. However, the use of ribavirin in any viral infection remains controversial, and no human studies in hMPV infection have been performed, but there are supportive case reports.
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Lenneke E. M. Haas, Steven F. T. Thijsen, Leontine van Elden, and Karen A. Heemstra. Human Metapneumovirus in Adults. Viruses. 2013 Jan; 5(1): 87–110.