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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 10, 2013
Respiratory syncytial virus activity - United States, July 2008-December 2009
Insights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes significant infant hospitalizations and adult deaths annually. Understanding RSV seasonality is crucial for timely clinical and public health interventions, especially for high-risk infants.
Area of Science:
- Virology and Epidemiology
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of severe respiratory illness in infants and older adults.
- RSV infections result in substantial hospitalizations and mortality worldwide, particularly in vulnerable populations.
- Seasonal patterns of RSV circulation influence disease burden and public health preparedness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and describe the seasonal occurrence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in the United States.
- To identify regional variations in RSV season onset and duration.
- To inform clinical and public health strategies for managing RSV.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) for monitoring RSV.
- Analyzed seasonal onset and offset dates across 10 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regions.
- Compared seasonal patterns between the 2008-09 and 2009-10 RSV seasons.
Main Results:
- RSV season onset varied across U.S. regions, typically starting in fall and continuing through spring.
- Florida exhibited an earlier onset and longer duration compared to other regions.
- Consistent seasonal patterns were observed, with all regions experiencing onset by late February in the 2009-10 season.
Conclusions:
- RSV exhibits distinct seasonal characteristics that vary geographically within the United States.
- Knowledge of regional RSV seasonality aids in timely diagnosis and management of acute respiratory illnesses.
- Informed timing of RSV immunoprophylaxis for high-risk children can be guided by surveillance data.
Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children aged <1 year worldwide. Each year in the United States, an estimated 75,000-125,000 infants are hospitalized with RSV. Among adults aged >65 years, an estimated 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths a year have been attributed to RSV infections. In temperate climates, the RSV season generally begins during the fall and continues through the winter and spring, but the exact timing of RSV circulation varies by location and year. In the United States, data from the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) are used to monitor the seasonal occurrence of RSV. During the 2008-09 season, onset occurred from mid-October to late December in the 10 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regions, excluding Florida, which had onset in mid-July. Season offset in all regions occurred from mid-February to mid-April. Florida is reported separately because it has an earlier season onset and longer duration than the rest of the country. During the current 2009-10 season, onset occurred in all 10 HHS regions by February 20, 2010. These patterns are similar to previous years and confirm differences in RSV seasonal characteristics across regions. Knowledge of RSV seasonality can be used by clinicians and public health officials to determine when to consider RSV as a cause of acute respiratory illnesses and when to provide RSV immunoprophylaxis to children at high risk for serious disease.
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