Landscape of respiratory syncytial virus

Chin Med J (Engl). 2024 Nov 6. doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000003354. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an enveloped, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus of the Orthopneumovirus genus of the Pneumoviridae family in the order Mononegavirales. RSV can cause acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections, sometimes with extrapulmonary complications. The disease burden of RSV infection is enormous, mainly affecting infants and older adults aged 75 years or above. Currently, treatment options for RSV are largely supportive. Prevention strategies remain a critical focus, with efforts centered on vaccine development and the use of prophylactic monoclonal antibodies. To date, three RSV vaccines have been approved for active immunization among individuals aged 60 and above. For children who are not eligible for these vaccines, passive immunization is recommended. A newly approved prophylactic monoclonal antibody, Nirsevimab, which offers enhanced neutralizing activity and an extended half-life, provides exceptional protection for high-risk infants and young children. This review provides a comprehensive and detailed exploration of RSV's virology, immunology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, treatment options, and prevention strategies.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02654171 NCT04231968 NCT03258502 NCT04225897 NCT04267822 NCT03382431 NCT05587478 NCT06170242 NCT03691623 NCT04196101 NCT04816721 NCT05568706.

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02654171
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04231968
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03258502
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04225897
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04267822
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03382431
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05587478
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT06170242
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03691623
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04196101
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04816721
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05568706