Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Treatment and prevention options for respiratory syncytial virus infections
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver.
Insights
Preventing viral respiratory infections in children is crucial. Research focuses on effective immunization strategies, including vaccines and immune globulin, to protect high-risk infants and children from serious illnesses like RSV.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Antiviral drugs like ribavirin and amantadine are underutilized for influenza A and RSV in children due to cost-effectiveness concerns.
- Current research aims to identify high-risk pediatric populations who would benefit most from these antiviral treatments.
- Alternative strategies include immune globulin therapy, alone or with antivirals, for severe respiratory infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current and emerging strategies for preventing viral respiratory diseases in children.
- To highlight the limitations of existing treatments and the need for improved preventative measures.
- To discuss the potential of active and passive immunization for pediatric respiratory virus prevention.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on antiviral therapies, immune globulin treatments, and vaccine development for pediatric respiratory viruses.
- Analysis of the efficacy and limitations of passive immunization (maternal or direct infant administration) and active immunization (subunit, recombinant, or live attenuated virus vaccines).
- Consideration of challenges in pediatric vaccine development, such as age and underlying health conditions.
Main Results:
- Passive immunization with RSV immune globulin shows promise in preventing or reducing RSV severity in high-risk infants and children.
- Active immunization strategies using various vaccine types are being investigated for safety and immunogenicity in children.
- Maternal active immunization for passive neonatal transfer has limitations including antibody half-life and premature infant antibody levels.
Conclusions:
- Prevention of viral respiratory infections is preferred over treatment due to potential lung damage and immune response-related complications.
- Developing effective immunization strategies is essential for preventing significant respiratory infections in children.
- Ongoing research and large trials are crucial for establishing safe and immunogenic vaccines for pediatric populations, especially those with underlying illnesses.
Abstract:
Although the therapeutic antiviral agents ribavirin and amantadine ameliorate illness caused by influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children, these agents are used infrequently because they are not cost-effective. Research currently is directed toward defining the high-risk groups for which these antiviral drugs should be used. Treatment of severe respiratory infection with specific immune globulin, either alone or in combination with antiviral drugs, is another therapeutic approach. Prevention of viral respiratory diseases is preferable because some lung damage occurs before the beginning of treatment, and damage resulting from the immune response may continue even after the virus is inhibited. As natural history and animal studies suggest, passive immunization can be achieved for neonates through active immunization of the mother during pregnancy. However, this approach is limited by the half-life of the transferred antibodies and the lack of antibody in premature infants. Standard immune globulin does not contain sufficient RSV neutralizing antibody titer to fully protect against severe RSV illness. Passive immunization with RSV immune globulin in infants and children has been shown to prevent or attenuate RSV in high-risk groups. Active immunization against some respiratory viruses has been achieved by administration of inactive virus (or their subunits), recombinant viral antigens, and live attenuated virus. Large trials are under way to determine the safety and immunogenicity of these vaccines for children in whom young age and serious underlying illness are significant barriers to primary immune response. The current research environment is suitable for the development of an immunization strategy to prevent many of the significant respiratory infections in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
01:29Acute Respiratory Failure-V
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease