Apnea induced by respiratory syncytial virus infection is not associated with viral invasion of the central nervous system

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2014 Aug;33(8):880-1. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000000311.

Abstract

We aimed to study whether direct central nervous system invasion is responsible for the neurologic manifestations seen in hospitalized infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Cerebrospinal fluid from infants with RSV infection was tested for the detection of the following respiratory RNA viruses: RSV, influenza A and B, pandemic influenza H1N1, Parainfluenza-3, human metapneumovirus, adenovirus, parechovirus and enterovirus. All children tested negative for the presence of viral material in the cerebrospinal fluid. Our results support the notion that the mechanism of RSV-induced neurologic manifestations, including apnea, is not direct central nervous system invasion.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / isolation & purification
  • Apnea / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Apnea / virology*
  • Enterovirus / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
  • Influenza B virus / isolation & purification
  • Male
  • Metapneumovirus / isolation & purification
  • Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human / isolation & purification
  • Prospective Studies
  • RNA Viruses / isolation & purification*
  • RNA, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / complications*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / virology*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / isolation & purification

Substances

  • RNA, Viral