Respiratory syncytial virus alters electrophysiologic properties in cotton rat airway epithelium

The effect of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection on the electrophysiologic properties of the airway epithelium was studied in tracheas obtained from cotton rats, after in vivo exposure to the virus. RSV infection was documented by tissue culture infectivity and immunofluorescent antibody techniques. Light microscopic studies of the tracheas 72 hours after exposure to RSV revealed normal epithelial morphology. RSV infection produced a 28% decrease in short-circuit current (Isc) and an almost 100% increase in tissue resistance. The decrease in Isc was partially attributed to a decrease in Cl secretion, while the increase in tissue resistance was associated with significant restriction to sodium and chloride movement through the paracellular pathway in RSV-infected tracheas. We conclude from these studies that RSV infection in the cotton rat trachea produces significant changes in active and passive ion flows. Alterations in ion transport across the airway epithelium may result in changes in secondary water transport across the airways and may contribute to the pathophysiology of RSV bronchiolitis and other locally invasive mucosal viral infections in children.