Respiratory-Syncytial-Virus Infections, Reinfections and Immunity

Abstract

To better understand acquired immunity to respiratory-syncytial-virus infections, we analyzed data from a 10-year study of respiratory illness in normal children who were followed longitudinally from early infancy. Immunity was measured in terms of failure to become infected or reduction in severity of clinical illness upon reinfection. Outbreaks of infections occurred seven times over the 10-year-period. During epidemics the attack rate for first infection was 98 per cent. The rate for second infections (75 per cent) was modestly reduced (P less than 0.001); that for third infections was 65 per cent. Age and history of infection both influenced illness. Immunity induced by a single infection had no demonstrable effect on illness associated with reinfection one year later; however, a considerable reduction in severity occurred with the third infection. These observations suggest that amelioration of illness--rather than prevention of infection--may be a realistic goal for immunoprophylaxis.

Intranasal immunisation with inactivated RSV and bacterial adjuvants induces mucosal protection and abrogates eosinophilia upon challenge

“…We have also described previously that infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) only leads to short-lived populations of the virusspecific plasma cells in the D-NALT and that, despite significant levels of virus-specific antibody in the serum of infected animals, mice were not protected from further infection with RSV [5]. This is similar to the clinical situation where multiple re-infections with this pathogen occur both in infancy and in adult life, indicating that natural immunity is not protective, and has made the identification of immune correlates to protection difficult and the subject of much controversy [6,7]. These data imply that successful protection from RSV would require a "better than nature" immune response and suggest that the stimulation and maintenance of local mucosal antibody rather than systemic antibody may be important in generating effective protection.…”

Siglec‐1 inhibits RSV‐induced interferon gamma production by adult T cells in contrast to newborn T cells

“…Nearly all infants have been infected by RSV by the age of 2 years. Infants and adults remain susceptible every year to RSV infections with genetically related viruses or identical virus strains 1. The high rate of reinfections by RSV results in a significant burden on health care in infants and elderly 2.…”

The transmission dynamics of groups A and B human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) in England & Wales and Finland: seasonality and cross-protection

“…This variability is reflected antigenically, and hRSV can be divided into two groups (A and B) on the basis of reactions with panels of monoclonal antibodies [3,4]. Children usually experience their first infection before the age of 2 years, and reinfection is a common occurrence in older children and also in adults [5][6][7][8][9]. Disease resulting from infection occurs principally in young children, particularly following primary infection [5,10,11] but is also observed in vulnerable adults.…”