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Updated: May 29, 2025
An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV Micro-neutralization Assay
Published on: January 26, 2019
Economic and clinical burden associated with respiratory syncytial virus and impact of universal immunization with
Andrea Marcellusi1, Chiara Bini1, Barbara Muzii2
1Centre for Economics and International Studies-Economic Evaluation and Health Technology Assessment, Faculty of Economics, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome - Italy.
Insights
A new prophylaxis strategy using nirsevimab could significantly reduce the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Italy. This approach is expected to prevent numerous RSV-medically attended lower respiratory tract infections and associated complications in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Health Economics
Background:
- The current respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis strategy in Italy targets only high-risk infants, representing a small fraction of the birth cohort.
- This limited strategy may not adequately address the overall seasonal RSV burden in the infant population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the seasonal RSV burden in Italy.
- To evaluate the potential benefits of a new prophylaxis strategy using nirsevimab for all infants.
- To assess the clinical and economic impact of nirsevimab compared to standard of care (SoC).
Main Methods:
- A decision analytic model, adapted from a US-based model, was used to evaluate RSV-related health and cost outcomes.
- Data on RSV infection probabilities, health events, mortality, and complications were sourced from literature.
- Costs were determined using literature and National Hospital Discharge Records analysis.
Main Results:
- Under SoC, an estimated 216,100 RSV-medically attended lower respiratory tract infections (RSV-MA-LRTIs), 15,121 complications, and 16 deaths were projected for one RSV season.
- The economic burden associated with SoC was approximately €64.4 million.
- Nirsevimab is projected to prevent 100,208 RSV-MA-LRTIs, 6,969 complications, and 6 deaths, yielding economic savings of approximately €29.5 million.
Conclusions:
- Nirsevimab offers a new prophylaxis strategy to protect all infants during their first RSV season.
- This approach has the potential to substantially reduce both the clinical and economic burden of RSV in Italy.
Objectives:
To describe the seasonal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) burden in Italy considering the current prophylaxis strategy with palivizumab recommended only for high-risk infants (representing only 4.4% of an estimated birth cohort) and to evaluate the potential benefits of a new prophylaxis strategy targeting all infants with nirsevimab.
Methods:
A static decision analytic model previously used in the US was adapted to evaluate the RSV-related health and cost outcomes associated with nirsevimab versus standard of care (SoC) for the prevention of RSV medically attended lower respiratory tract infections (RSV-MA-LRTIs). Monthly probabilities of RSV infections, health events, mortality, and complications associated with RSV infections were obtained from the literature. Costs associated with each event were obtained using the available literature and through real-world data analysis of National Hospital Discharge Records.
Results:
For one RSV season, in the current SoC, the model estimated 216,100 RSV-MA-LRTIs, 15,121 associated complications, and 16 RSV-deaths-corresponding to an economic burden of approximately €50.5 million related to RSV-MA-LRTIs management, €10.9 million associated with potential complications due to RSV and €3 million in lost productivity due to RSV-deaths. Nirsevimab is expected to prevent 100,208 RSV-MA-LRTIs, 6,969 complications, and 6 deaths due to RSV infections, corresponding to an economic saving of about €23.3, €5, and €1.2 million, respectively.
Conclusion:
Nirsevimab is a new prophylaxis strategy that helps to protect all infants against RSV disease and could substantially reduce the clinical and economic burden of RSV in Italy in infants experiencing their first RSV season.
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