During the COVID-19 pandemic where has respiratory syncytial virus gone?

Greta Di Mattia; Raffaella Nenna; Enrica Mancino; Valentina Rizzo; Alessandra Pierangeli; Alberto Villani; Fabio Midulla

doi:10.1002/ppul.25582

During the COVID-19 pandemic where has respiratory syncytial virus gone?

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2021 Oct;56(10):3106-3109. doi: 10.1002/ppul.25582. Epub 2021 Jul 26.

Authors

Greta Di Mattia¹, Raffaella Nenna¹, Enrica Mancino¹, Valentina Rizzo¹, Alessandra Pierangeli², Alberto Villani³, Fabio Midulla¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
² Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Rome, Italy.
³ Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.

Abstract

The diffusion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the implementation of restrictive measures led to a drastic reduction of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) diffusion. Few RSV cases have been detected worldwide, even after the removal of the restrictions. We review the current literature and present possible explanations on why there has been a significant reduction of RSV detection during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also hypothesize what may happen when RSV begins to circulate again. The increase of an immunologically naïve population, with infants born from mothers who have not reinforced their immunity to RSV, could lead to greater RSV epidemics in the coming seasons. It is crucial to prepare the scientific community and to keep RSV surveillance active to avoid dramatic consequences.

Keywords: TB; epidemiology; infections; international health; pneumonia; viral.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19 / epidemiology
COVID-19 / prevention & control*
Humans
Infant
Pandemics
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / epidemiology
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human*
SARS-CoV-2
Seasons