Related Experiment Videos
Subgroup characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus strains recovered from children with two consecutive
Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus strains from 13 children who had repeat infections at least 1 year apart were identified as either subgroup A or subgroup B according to reaction patterns with several monoclonal antibodies directed against the large surface glycoprotein (G), fusion protein (F), nucleoprotein (NP), and matrix protein (M). The virus strains were characterized by enzyme immunoassay, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunofluorescence procedures. During the first infection, 10 children had subgroup A strains and 3 had subgroup B strains. Of the 10 children with subgroup A strains during their first infection, 6 had subgroup B and 4 had subgroup A strains during the second infection. Of the three children with subgroup B strains during their first infection, one had subgroup A and two had subgroup B strains during their second infection. No child experienced unusually severe respiratory tract illnesses during second infections with respiratory syncytial virus. Fourfold or greater rises in serum antibody as determined by enzyme immunoassay were as common after the first infection as after the second infection among the seven children tested. Thus, second infections with strains of either subgroup of respiratory syncytial virus did not potentiate respiratory illness, and infection with subgroup A strains of respiratory syncytial virus provided some protection from a second infection with the homologous, but not the heterologous, subgroup of the virus.
Insights
Second infections with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) subgroups A or B did not worsen illness. Prior RSV subgroup A infection offered partial protection against homologous reinfection, but not heterologous strains.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes significant respiratory illness in children.
- RSV circulates in two major subgroups, A and B, which can cause reinfections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical outcomes and immunological responses following repeat RSV infections with different or same subgroups.
- To determine if prior infection with one RSV subgroup confers protection against subsequent infection by the same or the other subgroup.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of RSV strains (subgroups A or B) from repeat infections in 13 children using monoclonal antibodies.
- Virus strain typing via enzyme immunoassay, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunofluorescence.
- Assessment of serum antibody responses using enzyme immunoassay.
Main Results:
- During repeat infections, children often switched between RSV subgroups A and B.
- No severe respiratory illness was observed during second RSV infections.
- Antibody responses after first and second infections were comparable.
- Infection with RSV subgroup A provided some protection against subsequent homologous (subgroup A) reinfection, but not heterologous (subgroup B) reinfection.
Conclusions:
- Repeat RSV infections, regardless of subgroup, do not typically potentiate respiratory illness severity.
- Homologous protection exists for RSV subgroup A, suggesting potential for subgroup-specific vaccine strategies.
- Further research is needed to understand heterologous protection and the long-term immunity conferred by different RSV subgroups.