scholarly journals Role of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Pediatric Pneumonia

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2048
Author(s):  
Sonia Bianchini ◽  
Ettore Silvestri ◽  
Alberto Argentiero ◽  
Valentina Fainardi ◽  
Giovanna Pisi ◽  
...  

Respiratory viral infections represent the leading cause of hospitalization in infants and young children worldwide and the second leading cause of infant mortality. Among these, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) represents the main cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in young children worldwide. RSV manifestation can range widely from mild upper respiratory infections to severe respiratory infections, mainly bronchiolitis and pneumonia, leading to hospitalization, serious complications (such as respiratory failure), and relevant sequalae in childhood and adulthood (wheezing, asthma, and hyperreactive airways). There are no specific clinical signs or symptoms that can distinguish RSV infection from other respiratory pathogens. New multiplex platforms offer the possibility to simultaneously identify different pathogens, including RSV, with an accuracy similar to that of single polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the majority of cases. At present, the treatment of RSV infection relies on supportive therapy, mainly consisting of oxygen and hydration. Palivizumab is the only prophylactic method available for RSV infection. Advances in technology and scientific knowledge have led to the creation of different kinds of vaccines and drugs to treat RSV infection. Despite the good level of these studies, there are currently few registered strategies to prevent or treat RSV due to difficulties related to the unpredictable nature of the disease and to the specific target population.

Author(s):  
Zahra Ramezannia ◽  
Javid Sadeghi ◽  
Shahram Abdoli Oskouie ◽  
Mohammad Ahangarzadeh Rezaee ◽  
Hossein Bannazadeh Baghi ◽  
...  

Background. Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are the leading cause of illnesses in children. Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) and human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are among the most common etiologic agents associated with viral respiratory tract infections in children worldwide. Nevertheless, limited information is available on the spread of infections of these two viruses in northwest Iran. Objective. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the frequency of RSV and HPIV-3 and clinical features among Iranian children with confirmed respiratory infections between April 2019 and March 2020. Methods. 100 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from hospitalized patients (under 5 years old) with ARTI from Tabriz Children’s Hospital. Detection of respiratory viruses was performed using the nested RT-PCR method. Results. Respiratory syncytial virus and HPIV-3 were recognized in 18% (18/100) and 2% (2/100) of children, respectively. Ten (55.6%) of the RSV-positive samples were male, while 8 (44.4%) were female. HPIV‐3 was found only among 2 male patients (100%). Most patients (61.1%) with RSV infection were less than 12 months old. Additionally, samples that were positive for HPIV-3 were less than 12 months old. RSV infections had occurred mainly during the winter season. Conclusions. This study confirms that RSV can be one of the important respiratory pathogens in children in northwestern Iran. However, according to this study, HPIV-3 has a lower prevalence among children in this area than RSV. Therefore, implementing a routine diagnosis for respiratory pathogens can improve the management of respiratory infections in children.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117955652110292
Author(s):  
Canna Ghia ◽  
Gautam Rambhad

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of lower respiratory tract infections in young children. Globally, there is huge disease burden, high treatment cost, and health impact beyond acute episodes due to RSV which necessitate development and implementation of preventive strategies for the control of RSV infection. The disease burden due to RSV in pediatric population across India is still not clearly understood so this literature review was therefore conducted to gather data on disease burden due to RSV in Indian pediatric population. Systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and Google search with different medical subject headings from 2007 to 2020. Studies performed in Indian pediatric population were selected for review. Literature review revealed that in India, epidemiology of RSV infection is well documented in young children (0-5 years) as compared to children from other age groups. The rates of RSV detection in various studies conducted in younger children (0-5 years) vary from 2.1% to 62.4% in India which is higher as compared to children from other age groups. In India, RSV mainly peaks around rainy to early winter season, that is, during months of June through October while smaller peak was noted during December, January, and February. In 2020, higher RSV-associated disease burden was reported among children (<5 years) in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. Considering significant disease burden due to RSV in young Indian children, availability of RSV vaccine would be crucial to prevent RSV infections in children and its spread in the community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1293
Author(s):  
Gaspar A. Pacheco ◽  
Nicolás M. S. Gálvez ◽  
Jorge A. Soto ◽  
Catalina A. Andrade ◽  
Alexis M. Kalergis

The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is one of the leading causes of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children under five years old. Notably, hRSV infections can give way to pneumonia and predispose to other respiratory complications later in life, such as asthma. Even though the social and economic burden associated with hRSV infections is tremendous, there are no approved vaccines to date to prevent the disease caused by this pathogen. Recently, coinfections and superinfections have turned into an active field of study, and interactions between many viral and bacterial pathogens have been studied. hRSV is not an exception since polymicrobial infections involving this virus are common, especially when illness has evolved into pneumonia. Here, we review the epidemiology and recent findings regarding the main polymicrobial infections involving hRSV and several prevalent bacterial and viral respiratory pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, human rhinoviruses, influenza A virus, human metapneumovirus, and human parainfluenza viruses. As reports of most polymicrobial infections involving hRSV lack a molecular basis explaining the interaction between hRSV and these pathogens, we believe this review article can serve as a starting point to interesting and very much needed research in this area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abate Yeshidinber Weldetsadik ◽  
Frank Riedel

Abstract Background Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the commonest cause of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in infants. However, the burden of RSV is unknown in Ethiopia. We aimed to determine the prevalence, seasonality and predictors of RSV infection in young infants with ALRI for the first time in Ethiopia. Methods We performed RSV immuno-chromatographic assay from nasopharyngeal swabs of infants, 29 days to 6 months of age. We included the first 10 eligible infants in each month from June 2018 to May 2019 admitted in a tertiary pediatric center. Clinical, laboratory and imaging data were also collected, and chi-square test and regression were used to assess associated factors with RSV infection. Results Among a total of 117 study children, 65% were male and mean age was 3 months. Bronchiolitis was the commonest diagnosis (49%). RSV was isolated from 26 subjects (22.2%) of all ALRI, 37% of bronchiolitis and 11% of pneumonia patients. Although RSV infection occurred year round, highest rate extended from June to November. No clinical or laboratory parameter predicted RSV infection and only rainy season (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 10.46 [95%. C.I. 1.95, 56.18]) was independent predictor of RSV infection. Conclusions RSV was isolated in a fifth of young infants with severe ALRI, mostly in the rainy season. Diagnosis of RSV infection in our setting require specific tests as no clinical parameter predicted RSV infection. Since RSV caused less than a quarter of ALRI in our setting, the other causes should be looked for in future studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (8) ◽  
pp. 446-452
Author(s):  
Damilola M Oladele ◽  
Dimeji P Oladele ◽  
Rasheedat M Ibraheem ◽  
Mohammed B Abdulkadir ◽  
Rasaki Adewole Raheem ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRIs) especially severe ALRIs, constitute a global high burden of morbidity and mortality in children <5 y of age and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been documented to a play a major aetiological role. However, Nigerian reports on severe childhood RSV ALRIs are rare and most reports are old. With recent advances in RSV preventive strategy, arises the need for a recent appraisal of RSV infection in children with severe ALRI. The current study thus set out to determine the prevalence of RSV infection among hospitalized children <5 y of age and describe the related social determinants. Methods We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over 1 y of 120 children, ages 2–59 months, diagnosed with ALRI. Relevant data were obtained and an antigen detection assay was used for viral studies. Results The prevalence of RSV infection was 34.2% and its peak was in the rainy months. The proportion of infants in the RSV-positive group was significantly higher than that in the RSV-negative group (82.9% vs 54.4%; p=0.002). These findings were largely consistent with those of earlier reports. Conclusions RSV has remained a common cause of severe ALRI in infants, especially during the rainy months in Nigeria. It is thus suggested that more effort be focused towards implementing the current global recommendations for the prevention of RSV-associated LRI, particularly in infants.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Catalina A. Andrade ◽  
Alexis M. Kalergis ◽  
Karen Bohmwald

Respiratory infections are among the major public health burdens, especially during winter. Along these lines, the human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is the principal viral agent causing acute lower respiratory tract infections leading to hospitalization. The pulmonary manifestations due to hRSV infection are bronchiolitis and pneumonia, where the population most affected are infants and the elderly. However, recent evidence suggests that hRSV infection can impact the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Studies have indicated that hRSV can infect different cell types from the placenta and even cross the placenta barrier and infect the fetus. In addition, it is known that infections during the gestational period can lead to severe consequences for the development of the fetus due not only to a direct viral infection but also because of maternal immune activation (MIA). Furthermore, it has been described that the development of the central nervous system (CNS) of the fetus can be affected by the inflammatory environment of the uterus caused by viral infections. Increasing evidence supports the notion that hRSV could invade the CNS and infect nervous cells, such as microglia, neurons, and astrocytes, promoting neuroinflammation. Moreover, it has been described that the hRSV infection can provoke neurological manifestations, including cognitive impairment and behavioral alterations. Here, we will review the potential effect of hRSV in brain development and the potential long-term neurological sequelae.


F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rinat Nuriev ◽  
Cecilia Johansson

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause severe lower respiratory tract infections especially in infants, immunocompromised individuals and the elderly and is the most common cause of infant hospitalisation in the developed world. The immune responses against RSV are crucial for viral control and clearance but, if dysregulated, can also result in immunopathology and impaired gas exchange. Lung immunity to RSV and other respiratory viruses begins with the recruitment of immune cells from the bloodstream into the lungs. This inflammatory process is controlled largely by chemokines, which are small proteins that are produced in response to innate immune detection of the virus or the infection process. These chemokines serve as chemoattractants for granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes and other leukocytes. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the field of RSV infection and disease, focusing on how chemokines regulate virus-induced inflammation.


Author(s):  
Giovanni Rossi ◽  
Stefania Ballarini ◽  
Michela Silvestri ◽  
Oliviero Sacco ◽  
Andrew Colin

The immunopathology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in the pediatric population, with severe disease being the exception. The variability of the clinical presentation is incompletely explained by host, viral and environmental factors but, in infants and young children, disease severity is certainly linked to the physiological immune immaturity. There is evidence that the maturation of the host immune response is, at least in part, promoted by the composition of the nasopharyngeal microbiome that, modulating excessive inflammation, can counteract the predisposition to develop viral respiratory infections and lower the risk of disease severity. However, interaction between the nasopharyngeal microbiota and respiratory viruses can be bidirectional. Microbial dysbiosis can drive disease pathogenesis but may also represents a reflection of the disease-induced alterations of the local milieu. Moreover, viruses like RSV, can also increase the virulence of potential pathogens in nasopharynx, which is a main reservoir of bacteria, and therefore promote their spread to the lower airways causing superinfection. Negative changes in microbial community composition in early life may constitute a heightened risk towards severe RSV respiratory infection and bacterial superinfection, whilst specific groups of microorganisms can be associated with protection. A better understanding into the potential negative and positive role of the different nasopharyngeal bacterial species in disease prevention as well as into the possible benefits of microbiome therapeutic manipulation, may improve patient outcomes.


Author(s):  
Zaid Haddadin ◽  
Stockton Beveridge ◽  
Kailee Fernandez ◽  
Danielle A Rankin ◽  
Varvara Probst ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in hospitalized children. Although prematurity and underlying medical conditions are known risk factors, most of these children are healthy, and factors including RSV load and subgroups may contribute to severity. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the role of RSV in ARI severity and determine factors associated with increased RSV-ARI severity in young children. Methods Children aged &lt;5 years with fever and/or ARI symptoms were recruited from the emergency department (ED) or inpatient settings at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Nasal and/or throat swabs were tested using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction for common respiratory viruses, including RSV. A severity score was calculated for RSV-positive children. Results From November 2015 through July 2016, 898 participants were enrolled, and 681 (76%) had at least 1 virus detected, with 191 (28%) testing positive for RSV. RSV-positive children were more likely to be hospitalized, require intensive care unit admission, and receive oxygen compared with children positive for other viruses. Higher viral load, White race, younger age, and higher severity score were independently associated with hospitalization in RSV-positive children. No differences in disease severity were noted between RSV A and RSV B. Conclusions RSV was associated with increased ARI severity in young children enrolled from the ED and inpatient settings, but no differences in disease severity were noted between RSV A and RSV B. These findings emphasize the need for antiviral therapy and/or preventive measures such as vaccines against RSV in young children.


Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Federica Barbati ◽  
Maria Moriondo ◽  
Laura Pisano ◽  
Elisa Calistri ◽  
Lorenzo Lodi ◽  
...  

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is associated with most of the acute viral respiratory tract infections causing hospitalization with a peak during the first months of life. Many clinical trials of RSV vaccine candidates are being carried out. The aim of this study was to obtain epidemiologic information to give suggestions on target populations and prevention strategies before the introduction of new vaccines or monoclonal antibodies. We retrospectively evaluated, over a 5-year period (September 2014–August 2019), a population of hospitalized Italian children aged 0–6 years with a laboratory confirmed diagnosis of RSV infection. Risk factors, seasonality of RSV infection, distribution according to age, cases of coinfections and reinfections and cases needing Intensive Care Unit were evaluated. Hospitalizations due to RSV were 624 in the period under study. The peak was found between November and April, with 80.4% of cases recorded between December and February. 62.5% of cases were found in children under three months of age and 41% in children under 30 days old. The need for intensive care was associated with younger ages, with 70.9% of cases in children below three months of age. Unless the incoming vaccines demonstrate a strong herd protection effect, preventive strategies should be aimed at newborns or at maternal immunization.


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