Group-specific serum antibody responses in children with primary and recurrent respiratory syncytial virus infections

Article Abstract:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a primary cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. The two types of RSV, group A and group B, differ in their antigens, or elements of the virus that can trigger an immune reaction. Certain components of RSV can cause the production of antibodies specifically directed against RSV. These include glycoproteins, or carbohydrate and protein compounds. The two glycoproteins that activate RSV antibody production are on the surface of the virus: those that are heavily glycosylated, or contain glucose groups (G), are involved in attachment; and those referred to as fusion glycoproteins (F). The antigen differences between groups A and B viruses are mainly involved with the G glycoproteins, and less with the F glycoproteins. The RSV antibodies produced after the first and second RSV infections were assessed in children attending a day care center. A first infection with group A RSV resulted in the production of antibodies directed against both F and G glycoproteins of groups A and B RSV. However, a first infection with group B RSV caused the production of antibodies directed only against the F glycoprotein of group A as well as all components of group B RSV. A second infection with group B RSV in children who were initially infected with group A RSV resulted in the production of antibodies to both components of the A and B viruses. These findings suggest that initial infection with group A type RSV may provide greater protection against later infection with group B RSV, compared with the effects of initial infection with group B followed by infection with group A. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Infection, Physiological aspects, Pediatric diseases, Respiratory system, Respiratory organs, Infection in children

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Association between respiratory syncytial virus outbreaks and lower respiratory tract deaths of infants and young children

Article Abstract:

In infants and young children respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important cause of respiratory illness. RSV infects the lower respiratory tract and can cause fatal lower respiratory tract illness (LRI) in infants and children. A study was performed to determine the relationship between acute respiratory illness and death in infants and children. Medical records from 10 hospital virus laboratories were reviewed to determine all cases of respiratory infection in children under five years of age caused by RSV, parainfluenza virus and influenza occurring between July 1975 and June 1984. Medical records from the National Center for Health Statistics were reviewed to determine the medical histories of children under age five who died of respiratory illness during this period. Infections with RSV and influenza (type A and B) occurred during the winter months of each year. Infections with parainfluenza virus types 1 and 2 were prevalent in the autumn of every other year. The occurrence of RSV was correlated with winter deaths caused by LRI in infants 1 to 11 months old. Infection with influenza virus was correlated with deaths caused by LRI in children 24 to 59 months old. There was no correlation between death caused by LRI and infection with parainfluenza virus. It is concluded that RSV plays a major role in winter deaths caused by LRI in infants between 1 and 11 months of age. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Mortality, Patient outcomes, Causes of, Statistics, Diseases, Infants, Infant mortality

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Multicenter study of strains of respiratory syncytial virus

Article Abstract:

Respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) were discovered in 1956, and have generally been associated with lower respiratory tract disease in children. Researchers have identified two major strains, A and B, and many antigenic variants in each strain. This variability may be responsibility for the failure of vaccine development efforts. Disease outbreaks vary in severity from strain to strain, from year to year, and frequently within the same year. A total of 483 RSV isolates, from 1984-1985 and 1985-1986 outbreaks, were collected from 14 laboratories in the United States and Canada. Isolates were divided into groups and subgroups: 303 were group A; 114 were group B; and 66 could not be grouped. Group A isolates were further divided into 6 subgroups, and group B into 3 subgroups. It was shown that any subgroups of A and B could cocirculate during a single season or outbreak. This suggests that RSV outbreaks are community or regional, and not national in nature. Simultaneous outbreaks are probably caused by factors that facilitate viral transmission, not by a common strain or strains of RSV. The ability to identify groups and subgroups of strains, as demonstrated in this study, will promote epidemiological studies of RSV infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Disease transmission, Identification and classification

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