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Early-life respiratory syncytial virus infection and asthma

Jessica Tolentino1,2, Madison Coward-Smith1,2, Brian G G Oliver1,2

  • 1School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

European Respiratory Review : an Official Journal of the European Respiratory Society
|July 22, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Early-life respiratory syncytial virus infections disrupt lung development, increasing risks for asthma and chronic lung diseases. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing preventative strategies against childhood respiratory illnesses.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Immunology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Lung development is a prolonged process, extending postnatally, rendering infants vulnerable to respiratory infections.
  • Early-life respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a significant contributor to severe respiratory diseases in children.
  • Preterm birth and maternal environmental factors exacerbate the risks associated with early-life RSV infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how early-life RSV infection impacts normal lung development.
  • To explore the mechanisms linking RSV infection to chronic lung diseases like asthma.
  • To highlight the need for improved preclinical models for translational research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on early-life respiratory infections and lung development.
  • Analysis of mechanistic studies on RSV pathogenesis.
  • Evaluation of preclinical models for studying lung health outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Early-life RSV infection can disrupt lung structure and function, leading to long-term respiratory issues.
  • Pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of epigenetic regulation, immune activation, and airway remodeling.
  • Current preclinical models offer some insights but highlight the need for better translational approaches.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life RSV infection is a critical determinant of long-term respiratory health.
  • Targeted preventative and therapeutic strategies are needed to mitigate the lasting effects of these infections.
  • Further research using robust translational models is essential to understand and address these challenges.

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