Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease and prospects for its control

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major virus pathogen of infants and young children, an important cause of disease in adults and is responsible for a significant amount of excess morbidity and mortality in the elderly. It also can be devastating in immunosuppressed populations. Vaccines are being developed, but none are currently licensed. Moreover, even if one or more are approved, they may not be suitable for some populations vulnerable to RSV (e.g. very young infants and the immunosuppressed). Ribavirin and immunoglobulin preparations with high titers of RSV-specific neutralizing antibodies are currently approved for use to treat and prevent RSV infection. However, neither of these is cost-effective or simple to administer. New agents are needed to reduce the impact of RSV. This review is concerned with the means currently available for controlling RSV, the search for new agents effective against this virus, and future prospects for preventing and treating RSV infections.