Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

A Minimally Invasive Method for Intratracheal Instillation of Drugs in Neonatal Rodents to Treat Lung Disease
04:21

A Minimally Invasive Method for Intratracheal Instillation of Drugs in Neonatal Rodents to Treat Lung Disease

Published on: August 4, 2021

[Bronchiolitis--we don't know how to treat--we can prevent]

Anna Breborowicz1

  • 1Klinika Pneumonologii, Alergologii Dzieciecej i Immunologii Klinicznej III Katedry Pediatrii, Uniwersytetu Medycznego im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu. abreborowicz@wp.pl

Przeglad Lekarski
|May 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes severe infant bronchiolitis, necessitating preventive strategies. Palivizumab offers passive immunotherapy for high-risk infants, though population-wide prevention remains elusive.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Context:

  • Infant bronchiolitis is primarily caused by viral infections, most commonly Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
  • Treatment options for RSV bronchiolitis are limited, highlighting the need for effective preventive measures.
  • High-risk infant populations, including preterm infants and those with congenital conditions, face severe disease courses.

Purpose:

  • To assess the efficacy of passive immunotherapy for preventing severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections in at-risk infant populations.
  • To review the current recommendations and applications of palivizumab for RSV prophylaxis in vulnerable infants.

Summary:

  • RSV is a common viral cause of infant bronchiolitis, with limited treatment efficacy.
  • Passive immunotherapy, including intravenous anti-RSV immunoglobulin G and intramuscular palivizumab, has been evaluated for prophylaxis.
  • Palivizumab is recommended for high-risk infants, such as those with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, prematurity, or congenital heart defects.

Impact:

  • Palivizumab prophylaxis is recommended for specific high-risk infant groups by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • Current preventive strategies do not cover the entire infant population, indicating a need for broader solutions.
  • Understanding RSV prophylaxis is crucial for managing severe respiratory infections in vulnerable infants.

Related Concept Videos

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...
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention01:30

Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention

Nursing management of pneumonia involves promoting airway patency, facilitating rest and conserving energy, encouraging fluid intake, maintaining nutrition, and educating patients.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
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...
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...