Mechanisms of illness during respiratory syncytial virus infection: the lungs, the virus and the immune response

Scott J Hoffman; Federico R Laham; Fernando P Polack

doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2004.03.010

Mechanisms of illness during respiratory syncytial virus infection: the lungs, the virus and the immune response

Microbes Infect. 2004 Jul;6(8):767-72. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2004.03.010.

Authors

Scott J Hoffman¹, Federico R Laham, Fernando P Polack

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.

PMID: 15207824
DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2004.03.010

Abstract

Multiple factors, including cardiopulmonary anatomy, direct viral effects and the immune response can affect the severity of lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is the most frequent viral respiratory cause of hospitalization in infants and young children in the world. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of illness associated with severe RSV lower respiratory tract disease. A better understanding of the factors affecting the course of illness and their interplay should allow development of effective therapies in the future.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Chemokines / metabolism
Child, Preschool
Humans
Immunity, Innate
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Lung / pathology*
Lung / virology*
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / immunology
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / pathology
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / therapy
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / virology
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / immunology*
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / pathogenicity*

Substances

Chemokines