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An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV Micro-neutralization Assay
Published on: January 26, 2019
The disease burden of respiratory syncytial virus in Infants
Alasdair P S Munro1,2, Federico Martinón-Torres3,4,5, Simon B Drysdale6,7
1NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.
Insights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes significant infant illness globally. New prophylactic treatments, including monoclonal antibodies and maternal immunizations, are expected to reduce this burden on healthcare systems.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide.
- Historically, limited therapeutic options have been available for healthy infants to prevent RSV infection.
Conclusions:
- Emerging long-acting monoclonal antibodies and maternal immunizations offer promising solutions for RSV prevention in infants.
- These novel therapies are expected to reduce healthcare system strain during winter seasons.
Purpose Of Review:
To describe the current global burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants and its implications for morbidity, health resources and economic costs.
Recent Findings:
New prophylactic therapies are on the horizon for RSV in the form of long-acting monoclonal antibodies suitable for healthy infants and maternal immunizations.
Summary:
Despite being responsible for significant global infant morbidity and mortality, until recently there have been no effective therapeutics available for healthy infants to protect them from RSV. Several new drugs are likely to be available within the next few years which could help relieve a huge burden on healthcare systems over the coming winters.
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