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Factors Affecting the Immunity to Respiratory Syncytial Virus: From Epigenetics to Microbiome
Wendy Fonseca1, Nicholas W Lukacs1,2, Catherine Ptaschinski1,2
1Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
Insights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe lung infections in infants, increasing wheezing risk. Emerging research explores immune development and microbiome factors influencing severe RSV disease and long-term outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Immunology
- Microbiome research
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of infant hospitalization globally.
- Severe RSV infection is linked to increased risk of childhood wheezing.
- Immune system development, influenced by various factors, may predispose infants to severe RSV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review known risk factors for severe RSV disease.
- To explore emerging factors like the microbiome in RSV pathogenesis.
- To discuss the impact of severe RSV on long-term health and immunity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on RSV risk factors.
- Exploration of recent research on the microbiome and metabolites in lung disease.
- Synthesis of information on immune system development and RSV outcomes.
Main Results:
- Established risk factors include prematurity and immature immune systems.
- The microbiome and its metabolites are increasingly recognized as significant in lung disease development.
- Severe RSV infection has long-term consequences, including childhood wheezing.
Conclusions:
- Understanding both known and emerging risk factors is crucial for preventing severe RSV disease.
- Further research into the microbiome's role could reveal new therapeutic targets.
- Addressing severe RSV in infancy is vital for mitigating long-term respiratory health issues.
Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pathogen that infects virtually all children by 2 years of age and is the leading cause of hospitalization of infants worldwide. While most children experience mild symptoms, some children progress to severe lower respiratory tract infection. Those children with severe disease have a much higher risk of developing childhood wheezing later in life. Many risk factors are known to result in exacerbated disease, including premature birth and early age of RSV infection, when the immune system is relatively immature. The development of the immune system before and after birth may be altered by several extrinsic and intrinsic factors that could lead to severe disease predisposition in children who do not exhibit any currently known risk factors. Recently, the role of the microbiome and the resulting metabolite profile has been an area of intense study in the development of lung disease, including viral infection and asthma. This review explores both known risk factors that can lead to severe RSV-induced disease as well as emerging topics in the development of immunity to RSV and the long-term consequences of severe infection.
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