Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 31, 2026

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
09:01

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Published on: December 10, 2013

The association between respiratory syncytial virus infection and reactive airway disease

G Piedimonte1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL, USA. gpiedimo@med.miami.edu

Respiratory Medicine
|May 9, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infant infections may lead to childhood reactive airway disease (RAD). Preventing RSV lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) could reduce RAD incidence, highlighting the importance of RSV prophylaxis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric respiratory health
  • Infectious disease epidemiology
  • Immunology of airway inflammation

Background:

  • Accumulating evidence suggests a link between infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and the later development of reactive airway disease (RAD) in childhood.
  • Understanding this association is crucial for public health strategies targeting pediatric respiratory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the epidemiological evidence connecting RSV and RAD.
  • To explore cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying post-viral airway inflammation.
  • To assess the potential of RSV prophylaxis in preventing both RSV LRTI and subsequent RAD.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological studies on RSV and RAD.
  • Analysis of proposed cellular and molecular pathways of post-viral airway inflammation.
  • Synthesis of evidence regarding the impact of RSV prevention on RAD development.

Main Results:

  • The article consolidates existing epidemiological data supporting the RSV-RAD link.
  • It discusses potential mechanisms, including inflammatory responses triggered by RSV infection.
  • The review underscores the significance of reducing RSV LRTI for RAD prevention.

Conclusions:

  • RSV LRTI in infancy is a potential precursor to childhood RAD.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of RSV-induced airway inflammation is key.
  • RSV prophylaxis strategies may play a vital role in preventing both RSV LRTI and RAD, improving long-term respiratory health outcomes.

More Related Videos

An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Micro-neutralization Assay09:14

An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Micro-neutralization Assay

Published on: January 26, 2019

Generation, Amplification, and Titration of Recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Viruses11:48

Generation, Amplification, and Titration of Recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Viruses

Published on: April 4, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Common Respiratory Disorders01:31

Common Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory disorders, a prevalent health concern globally, are generally divided into two primary categories: upper and lower respiratory tract disorders. The categorization is based on the area of the respiratory system they affect.
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...