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An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 11, 2013
Defining the timing of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) outbreaks: an epidemiological study
Elena Terletskaia-Ladwig1, Gisela Enders, Gunnar Schalasta
1Institute for Virology, Infectiology and Epidemiology & Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Prof. G. Enders and Partners, Rosenbergstrasse 85, D-70 193, Stuttgart, Germany. ladwig@labor-enders.de
Insights
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) seasons in southern Germany show a predictable biennial rhythm, aiding in forecasting outbreak timing and intensity. However, annual monitoring is crucial for precise risk period definition due to yearly variations.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Seasonal Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections pose a significant risk to infants under six months.
- Passive immunoprophylaxis with Palivizumab is recommended during high-risk RSV periods.
- Defining the precise RSV season in southern Germany is essential for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the specific period of high-risk Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection in southern Germany.
- To analyze the epidemiological patterns of RSV outbreaks in the Stuttgart region.
- To inform public health strategies for RSV prevention in vulnerable populations.
Main Methods:
- Conducted an epidemiological analysis of RSV data from 1996-2004 in southern Germany.
- Utilized real-time RT-PCR and ELISA for RSV detection in respiratory specimens.
- Analyzed RSV outbreak onsets, offsets, peaks, durations, and severity, comparing with literature.
Main Results:
- Identified a regular biennial rhythm in RSV activity, characterized by an early-high and a late-low phase.
- Observed significant year-to-year variations in outbreak timing and duration.
- Found that RSV epidemics in southern Germany oscillate in antiphase with those in Finland and Sweden.
Conclusions:
- The long-term biennial rhythm aids in predicting general outbreak timing and intensity.
- Precise onset and decrease of RSV activity remain unpredictable, necessitating continuous monitoring.
- Irregular outbreaks can disrupt the seasonal pattern, underscoring the need for annual RSV surveillance.
Background:
Seasonal RSV infections occur every year and affect particularly children under six months of age. Passive immunoprophylaxis with monoclonal antibody Palivizumab is recommended in the period with high risk of RSV infection. This study aims to define the period for the southern part of Germany (Stuttgart area).
Methods:
Epidemiological analysis of the RSV situation in southern Germany from 1996 to 2004 and comparison of results with literature was made. The respiratory tract specimens were sent in for the detection of RSV mainly by paediatric clinics. Detection of RSV was carried out mainly by real-time RT-PCR or by ELISA "Pathfinder". RSV outbreaks were depicted as an absolute number and as a percentage of RSV diagnoses in a month. Onsets, offsets, peaks, duration and severity of RSV seasons were defined and analysed.
Results:
An early season with strong RSV activity (early-high phase) was followed by a weaker late season (late-low phase) in a regular biennial rhythm. However, onsets, offsets and durations of outbreaks varied significantly from year to year. RSV epidemics in southern Germany were found to oscillate in an antiphase with RSV epidemics in Finland and Sweden.
Conclusion:
The long-term regular biennial rhythm allows predicting whether the next outbreak will be late or early and whether RSV activity will be strong or weak. Not foreseeable, however, is the precise time of increase and decrease of RSV activity. Moreover, the regular seasonal pattern may be disrupted by irregular outbreaks. Thus, activity of RSV has to be monitored every year to define the period with high risk of infection.
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