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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

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Central nervous system alterations caused by infection with the human respiratory syncytial virus

Karen Bohmwald1, Janyra A Espinoza, Pablo A González

  • 1Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Reviews in Medical Virology
|October 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) causes severe infant respiratory illness and hospitalization. Recent findings link hRSV infections to neurological complications and central nervous system (CNS) impairment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Virology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is a primary cause of infant hospitalization globally due to severe respiratory tract infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
  • Despite significant research, effective vaccines or treatments for hRSV remain unavailable, contributing to a substantial global disease burden.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore recent findings on the neurological and extrapulmonary effects of hRSV infections.
  • To discuss the link between hRSV infection and functional impairment of the central nervous system (CNS).

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature and findings.
  • Analysis of reported neurological symptoms associated with hRSV infection.

Main Results:

  • hRSV infection presents with varied symptoms, including cough, fever, and severe respiratory distress in infants (e.g., dyspnea, chest retractions).
  • Infants under one year may exhibit non-specific symptoms like failure to thrive, apnea, and feeding difficulties, often requiring hospitalization.
  • Neurological symptoms associated with hRSV include seizures, central apnea, lethargy, feeding/swallowing issues, muscle tone abnormalities, strabismus, CSF abnormalities, and encephalopathy.

Conclusions:

  • hRSV infection can lead to significant neurological complications beyond respiratory illness.
  • Understanding the extrapulmonary effects of hRSV is crucial for managing disease burden and developing targeted interventions.

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