Respiratory Syncytial Virus Illness Research Articles

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Older Adults: An Update.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection represents one of the most common infections during childhood, with significant morbidity and mortality in newborns and in the early years of life. RSV is a common infection throughout all age groups, largely undetected and underestimated in adults, with a disproportionately high impact in older individuals. RSV infection has a wide range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic conditions to acute pneumonia and severe life-threatening respiratory distress, including exacerbations of underlying chronic conditions. Overall, the incidence of RSV infections requiring medical attention increases with age, and it is highest among persons ≥70years of age. As a consequence of a combination of an aging population, immunosenescence, and the related increased burden of comorbidities, high-income countries are at risk of developing RSV epidemics. The standard of care for RSV-infected patients remains supportive, including fluids, antipyretics, and oxygen support when needed. There is an urgent need for antivirals and preventive strategies in this population, particularly in individuals at higher risk of severe outcomes following RSV infection. In this review, we describe prevention and treatment strategies for RSV illnesses, with a deep focus on the novel data on vaccination that has become available (Arexvy, GSK, and Abrysvo, Pfizer) for older adults.

RSV Vaccination Intention Among People Who Are or Plan to Become Pregnant.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pediatric infection, with young infants being at the highest risk of hospitalization and long-term sequela. New preventive agents have been recommended to prevent severe RSV illness in infants, including a vaccine administered during pregnancy. The current rates of recommended vaccination in pregnancy are suboptimal. Our objective was to characterize interest in RSV vaccination during pregnancy among people across the United States who were pregnant or planning to become pregnant. In March 2023, we conducted a national cross-sectional online survey of individuals 18 to 45 years old who were currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant on their perceptions of RSV-related illness and intentions to get vaccinated against RSV. We performed logistic regression analyses to determine the odds and predicted proportions of the likelihood of RSV vaccination during pregnancy, controlling for sociodemographic factors. Of 1619 completed surveys, 1528 were analyzed. 54% of respondents indicated that they were "very likely" to get vaccinated against RSV during pregnancy. The perception of RSV as a serious illness was the strongest predictor of vaccination likelihood. In the full regression model, predicted proportions of "very likely" to vaccinate against RSV followed a similar pattern (63% if RSV infection was perceived as serious and likely, 55% if serious and unlikely, 35% if not serious; P < .001). Raising awareness of RSV infection as likely and potentially serious for infants may be an influential component of targeted communications that promote RSV vaccine uptake during pregnancy.

Attributable Cost of Adult Respiratory Syncytial Virus Illness Beyond the Acute Phase.

Estimates of the cost of medically attended lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI) due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults, especially beyond the acute phase, is limited. This study was undertaken to estimate the attributable costs of RSV-LRTI among US adults during, and up to 1 year after, the acute phase of illness. A retrospective observational matched-cohort design and a US healthcare claims repository (2016-2019) were employed. The study population comprised adults aged ≥18 years with RSV-LRTI requiring hospitalization (RSV-H), an emergency department visit (RSV-ED), or physician office/hospital outpatient visit (RSV-PO/HO), as well as matched comparison patients. All-cause healthcare expenditures were tallied during the acute phase of illness (RSV-H: from admission through 30 days postdischarge; ambulatory RSV: during the episode) and long-term phase (end of acute phase to end of following 1-year period). The study population included 4526 matched pairs of RSV-LRTI and comparison patients (RSV-H: n = 970; RSV-ED: n = 590; RSV-PO/HO: n = 2966). Mean acute-phase expenditures were $42 179 for RSV-H (vs $5154 for comparison patients), $4409 for RSV-ED (vs $377), and $922 for RSV-PO/HO (vs $201). By the end of the 1-year follow-up period, mean expenditures-including acute and long-term phases-were $101 532 for RSV-H (vs $36 302), $48 701 for RSV-ED (vs $27 131), and $28 851 for RSV-PO/HO (vs $20 523); overall RSV-LRTI attributable expenditures thus totaled $65 230, $21 570, and $8327, respectively. The cost of RSV-LRTI requiring hospitalization or ambulatory care among US adults is substantial, and the economic impact of RSV-LTRI may extend well beyond the acute phase of illness.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Subunit Vaccine: First Approval of a Maternal Vaccine to Protect Infants.

Pfizer is developing a bivalent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F subunit vaccine (RSVpreF; ABRYSVO™) for preventing RSV illness in infants and individuals aged ≥ 60 years. RSVpreF received approval for vaccination of pregnant individuals to help protect infants against RSV illness on 21 August 2023 in the USA. RSVpreF is also approved in the USA (31 May 2023) for active immunization of individuals aged ≥ 60 years for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by RSV. In the EU, RSVpreF has received approval for both indications, and it has been submitted for regulatory approval in Canada (both indications) and in Japan (maternal immunization to protect infants). This article summarizes the milestones in the development of RSVpreF leading to the approval for use in pregnant individuals to prevent LRTD in infants.

Infants Admitted to US Intensive Care Units for RSV Infection During the 2022 Seasonal Peak

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and infant hospitalization worldwide. To evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of RSV-related critical illness in US infants during peak 2022 RSV transmission. This cross-sectional study used a public health prospective surveillance registry in 39 pediatric hospitals across 27 US states. Participants were infants admitted for 24 or more hours between October 17 and December 16, 2022, to a unit providing intensive care due to laboratory-confirmed RSV infection. Respiratory syncytial virus. Data were captured on demographics, clinical characteristics, signs and symptoms, laboratory values, severity measures, and clinical outcomes, including receipt of noninvasive respiratory support, invasive mechanical ventilation, vasopressors or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and death. Mixed-effects multivariable log-binomial regression models were used to assess associations between intubation status and demographic factors, gestational age, and underlying conditions, including hospital as a random effect to account for between-site heterogeneity. The first 15 to 20 consecutive eligible infants from each site were included for a target sample size of 600. Among the 600 infants, the median (IQR) age was 2.6 (1.4-6.0) months; 361 (60.2%) were male, 169 (28.9%) were born prematurely, and 487 (81.2%) had no underlying medical conditions. Primary reasons for admission included LRTI (594 infants [99.0%]) and apnea or bradycardia (77 infants [12.8%]). Overall, 143 infants (23.8%) received invasive mechanical ventilation (median [IQR], 6.0 [4.0-10.0] days). The highest level of respiratory support for nonintubated infants was high-flow nasal cannula (243 infants [40.5%]), followed by bilevel positive airway pressure (150 infants [25.0%]) and continuous positive airway pressure (52 infants [8.7%]). Infants younger than 3 months, those born prematurely (gestational age <37 weeks), or those publicly insured were at higher risk for intubation. Four infants (0.7%) received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and 2 died. The median (IQR) length of hospitalization for survivors was 5 (4-10) days. In this cross-sectional study, most US infants who required intensive care for RSV LRTIs were young, healthy, and born at term. These findings highlight the need for RSV preventive interventions targeting all infants to reduce the burden of severe RSV illness.

Bivalent Prefusion F Vaccine in Pregnancy to Prevent RSV Illness in Infants

BackgroundWhether vaccination during pregnancy could reduce the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)–associated lower respiratory tract illness in newborns and infants is uncertain.MethodsIn this phase 3, double-blind trial conducted in 18 countries, we randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, pregnant women at 24 through 36 weeks’ gestation to receive a single intramuscular injection of 120 μg of a bivalent RSV prefusion F protein–based (RSVpreF) vaccine or placebo. The two primary efficacy end points were medically attended severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness and medically attended RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness in infants within 90, 120, 150, and 180 days after birth. A lower boundary of the confidence interval for vaccine efficacy (99.5% confidence interval [CI] at 90 days; 97.58% CI at later intervals) greater than 20% was considered to meet the success criterion for vaccine efficacy with respect to the primary end points.ResultsAt this prespecified interim analysis, the success criterion for vaccine efficacy was met with respect to one primary end point. Overall, 3682 maternal participants received vaccine and 3676 received placebo; 3570 and 3558 infants, respectively, were evaluated. Medically attended severe lower respiratory tract illness occurred within 90 days after birth in 6 infants of women in the vaccine group and 33 infants of women in the placebo group (vaccine efficacy, 81.8%; 99.5% CI, 40.6 to 96.3); 19 cases and 62 cases, respectively, occurred within 180 days after birth (vaccine efficacy, 69.4%; 97.58% CI, 44.3 to 84.1). Medically attended RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness occurred within 90 days after birth in 24 infants of women in the vaccine group and 56 infants of women in the placebo group (vaccine efficacy, 57.1%; 99.5% CI, 14.7 to 79.8); these results did not meet the statistical success criterion. No safety signals were detected in maternal participants or in infants and toddlers up to 24 months of age. The incidences of adverse events reported within 1 month after injection or within 1 month after birth were similar in the vaccine group (13.8% of women and 37.1% of infants) and the placebo group (13.1% and 34.5%, respectively).ConclusionsRSVpreF vaccine administered during pregnancy was effective against medically attended severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness in infants, and no safety concerns were identified. (Funded by Pfizer; MATISSE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04424316.)

Respiratory syncytial virus with ongoing COVID-19: is it an emerging threat?

Respiratory syncytial virus with ongoing COVID-19: is it an emerging threat?

EE490 Attributable Cost of Adult Respiratory Syncytial Virus Illness Beyond the Acute Phase

EE490 Attributable Cost of Adult Respiratory Syncytial Virus Illness Beyond the Acute Phase

Change in functional status associated with respiratory syncytial virus infection in hospitalized older adults.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe respiratory illnesses in infants and older adults. Older adults are frequently hospitalized with RSV illness and may experience loss of function. This study evaluated longitudinal changes in function associated with RSV hospitalization in older adults. Adults ≥60 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed RSV were enrolled (N = 302). Demographics and comorbidities were collected. Functional status was assessed 2 weeks pre-hospitalization by recall, at enrollment, hospital discharge and 2, 4, and 6 months post-discharge using the Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) (scale 0-8) and Barthel ADL Index (scale 0-100). RSV-associated hospitalization resulted in acute functional loss. Median IADL (5 vs. 3, p &lt; 0.0001) and ADL (90 vs. 70, p &lt; 0.0001) scores decreased significantly from pre-hospitalization to admission and remained decreased at discharge. There were no statistically significant differences between pre-hospitalization and 2-, 4-, or 6-month scores. However, 33% and 32% of subjects experienced decreased 6-month IADL and ADL scores, respectively. Additionally, 14% required a higher level of care at discharge. When stratified by pre-hospitalization living situation, 6-month IADL scores declined significantly for those admitted from a skilled nursing facility (3 vs. 1, p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, male sex and diabetes were associated with a 6-month decline in ADL score of ≥10. Older adults hospitalized with RSV demonstrate acute functional decline that may become prolonged. Pre-hospitalization living situation may predict patient outcomes. Further study is needed with hospitalized age-matched controls and refined measurement tools to better define the specific impact of RSV on function.

Cost Savings Without Increased Risk of Respiratory Hospitalization for Preterm Children after the 2014 Palivizumab Policy Update.

Our objective was to compare rates of hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses in preterm and full-term (FT) children for 4 years before and after the 2014 update to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunoprophylaxis guidance, which restricted eligibility among infants born at 29 to 34 weeks in the first winter and all preterm infants in the second winter after neonatal discharge. We conducted pre-post and interrupted time series analyses on claims data from a commercial national managed care plan. We compared the number of RSV and all respiratory hospital admissions in the first and second RSV seasons after neonatal discharge among a cohort of preterm children, regardless of palivizumab status, in the 4 years before and after the implementation of the 2014 palivizumab eligibility change. A FT group was included for reference. The cohort included 821 early preterm (EP, <29 weeks), 4,790 moderate preterm (MP, 29-34 weeks), and 130,782 FT children. Palivizumab use after the policy update decreased among MP children in the first and second RSV seasons after neonatal discharge, without any change in the odds of hospitalization with RSV or respiratory illness. For the EP group, there was no change in the rate of palivizumab or the odds of hospitalization with RSV or respiratory illness after the policy update. For the FT group, there was a slight decrease in odds of hospitalization post-2014 after the policy update. The interrupted time series did not reveal any secular trends over time in hospitalization rates among preterm children. Following the policy change, there were cost savings for MP children in the first and second RSV seasons, when accounting for the cost of hospitalizations and the cost of palivizumab. Hospitalizations for RSV or respiratory illness did not increase, and cost savings were obtained after the implementation of the 2014 AAP palivizumab prophylaxis policy. · Palivizumab use decreased among children born moderate preterm (29 to34 weeks) after the 2014 palivizuamb policy update.. · There was no change in odds of hospitalization with respiratory syncitial virus or respiratory illness among preterm infants after the policy update when compared to before.. · There were cost savings, when accounting for the cost of hospitalizations and the cost of palivizumab, after the policy update among children born moderate preterm..

Summary of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) statement update on the recommended use of palivizumab to reduce complications of respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infection in young children worldwide. Underlying health conditions, especially premature birth, chronic lung disease and congenital heart disease, predispose to severe RSV illness. The only means of prophylaxis against RSV disease is passive prophylaxis with the monoclonal antibody, palivizumab (PVZ) (SynagisTM). The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) published a statement for PVZ use in 2003. The purpose of this article is to update previous NACI recommendations for the use of PVZ, taking into consideration recent data on RSV burden of illness, effectiveness of PVZ in infants at risk of more severe RSV disease and economic implications of PVZ use. The NACI Working Group and external experts performed systematic literature reviews on three topics to support updated NACI guidance: 1) RSV burden of disease; 2) PVZ effectiveness; and 3) cost effectiveness of PVZ prophylaxis. Full details and results are presented in the statement and supporting documents. Respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization (RSVH) rates are highest in children younger than one year of age and especially in the first two months of life. In various populations of infants at risk of severe RSV infection, PVZ prophylaxis is associated with reductions of 38%-86% in the risk of RSVH. Only rare cases of anaphylaxis have been reported after decades of use. Palivizumab is expensive and only cost-saving in rare scenarios. Updated NACI recommendations on use of PVZ for the prevention of complications of RSV in infants are now available.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Infected Neonates—A Single Center Experience

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been identified as a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children and elderly. Limited data are available on the clinical profile and outcome in neonates from India. We describe clinical profile and outcome data of neonates infected with RSV. A total of 14 neonates with acute respiratory illness (ARI) requiring newborn intensive care unit (NICU) admission were tested for respiratory virus infection. All 14 (100%) tested positive for RSV-A infection. Of these positive cases, 11 (78.57%) were NICU graduates. Cough, cold, and respiratory distress was observed to be the chief complain in 13 (92.85%) neonates. All except 2 required respiratory support. Total duration of respiratory support and hospital stay was 7 (3-12) and 8 (5-14) days, respectively. All the RSV-infected patients showed complete recovery. We observed that predominantly NICU graduates were susceptible to RSV illness with a slight male preponderance. Amongst infected, majority presented with ARI requiring respiratory support. The severity was more in NICU graduates who were born very preterm.

Impact of respiratory syncytial virus disease on quality of life in adults aged ≥50 years: A qualitative patient experience cross-sectional study.

BackgroundInformation about the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on quality of life in older adults is limited. This study characterized the patient experience of RSV illness in USA older adults and assessed the content validity of the InFLUenza Patient Reported Outcome (FLU‐PRO) in this population.MethodsThis qualitative, non‐interventional, cross‐sectional study included hybrid concept elicitation and cognitive debriefing interviews with 30 individuals (age ≥50 years) with polymerase chain reaction‐confirmed RSV diagnosed within 6 months of screening. Targeted literature review was first conducted to inform the development of interview materials. Webcam or telephone interviews were conducted by qualitative researchers using a semistructured interview guide. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using Excel and NVivo software.ResultsAll participants reported impacts on daily activities, social activities, and relationships during RSV disease. Physical functioning was impaired in 25 (83%) participants, and 18 (60%) reported not engaging in leisure activities/hobbies. All nine participants who were working reported major impacts on work. Most (n = 28; 93%) described emotional impacts. A majority (n = 19; 63%) reported symptoms lasting beyond the acute disease stage from a week to >1 month. Symptom concepts reported generally matched FLU‐PRO items and domains. Cognitive debriefing indicated that FLU‐PRO was easy to understand and captured participants' experiences of RSV illness.ConclusionsThis study indicates that RSV disease in adults aged ≥50 years in the USA has substantial impacts on daily life and that the concepts included in FLU‐PRO are appropriate and fit for purpose as a measure of RSV symptoms in this population.

Comparison of clinical presentations and burden of respiratory syncytial virus in infants across three distinct healthcare settings in Davidson County, Tennessee.

Background:The burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated acute respiratory illnesses among healthy infants (<1 year) in the inpatient setting is well established. The focus on RSV-associated illnesses in the outpatient (OP) and emergency department (ED) settings are however understudied. We sought to determine the spectrum of RSV illnesses in infants at three distinct healthcare settings.Methods:From 16 December 2019 through 30 April 2020, we performed an active, prospective RSV surveillance study among infants seeking medical attention from an inpatient (IP), ED, or OP clinic. Infants were eligible if they presented with fever and/or respiratory symptoms. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and illness histories were collected during parental/guardian interviews, followed by a medical chart review and illness follow-up surveys. Research nasal swabs were collected and tested for respiratory pathogens for all enrolled infants.Results:Of the 627 infants screened, 475 were confirmed eligible; 360 were enrolled and research tested. Within this final cohort, 101 (28%) were RSV-positive (IP = 37, ED = 18, and OP = 46). Of the RSV-positive infants, the median age was 4.5 months and 57% had ⩾2 healthcare encounters. The majority of RSV-positive infants were not born premature (88%) nor had underlying medical conditions (92%). RSV-positive infants, however, were more likely to have a lower respiratory tract infection than RSV-negative infants (76% vs 39%, p < 0.001). Hospitalized infants with RSV were younger, 65% required supplemental oxygen, were more likely to have lower respiratory tract symptoms, and more often had shortness of breath and rales/rhonchi than RSV-positive infants in the ED and OP setting.Conclusion:Infants with RSV illnesses seek healthcare for multiple encounters in various settings and have clinical difference across settings. Prevention measures, especially targeted toward healthy, young infants are needed to effectively reduce RSV-associated healthcare visits.

Burden of illness in infants and young children hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus: A rapid review.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are common among young children and represent a significant burden to patients, their families and the Canadian health system. Here we conduct a rapid review of the burden of RSV illness in children 24 months of age or younger. Four databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Database of Clinical Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov from 2014 to 2018), grey literature and reference lists were reviewed for studies on the following: children with or without a risk factor, without prophylaxis and with lab-confirmed RSV infection. Of 29 studies identified, 10 provided within-study comparisons and few examined clinical conditions besides prematurity. For infants of 33-36 weeks gestation (wGA) versus term infants, there was low-to-moderate certainty evidence for an increase in RSV-hospitalizations (n=599,535 infants; RR 2.05 [95% CI 1.89-2.22]; 1.3 more per 100 [1.1-1.5 more]) and hospital length of stay (n=7,597 infants; mean difference 1.00 day [95% CI 0.88-1.12]). There was low-to-moderate certainty evidence of little-to-no difference for infants born at 29-32 versus 33-36 wGA for hospitalization (n=12,812 infants; RR 1.20 [95% CI 0.92-1.56]). There was low certainty evidence of increased mechanical ventilation for hospitalized infants born at 29-32 versus 33-35 wGA (n=212 infants; RR 1.58, 95% CI 0.94-2.65). Among infants born at 32-35 wGA, hospitalization for RSV in infancy may be associated with increased wheeze and asthma-medication use across six-year follow-up (RR range 1.3-1.7). Children with versus without Down syndrome may have increased hospital length of stay (n=7,206 children; mean difference 3.00 days, 95% CI 1.95-4.05; low certainty). Evidence for other within-study comparisons was of very low certainty. In summary, prematurity is associated with greater risk for RSV-hospitalization and longer hospital length of stay, and Down syndrome may be associated with longer hospital stay for RSV. Respiratory syncytial virus-hospitalization in infancy may be associated with greater wheeze and asthma-medication use in early childhood. Lack of a comparison group was a major limitation for many studies.

The Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Children Under 2 Years of Age in a Rural Community in Maharashtra, India.

BackgroundGlobally, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of acute lower tract infection (LRTI) in children younger than 2 years of age, but there are scant population-based studies on the burden of RSV illness in rural communities and no community studies in preterm infants.MethodsActive surveillance of LRTI was performed in the community and hospital setting for the population of 93 tribal villages in Melghat, Central India, over 4 respiratory seasons. A nasopharyngeal swab was obtained from cases presenting as a severe LRTI for molecular analysis of respiratory pathogens including RSVA and B.ResultsHigh rates of RSV-associated LRTI were found in preterm and term infants beyond 6 months of age, extending into the second year of life. Community severe RSV LRTI rates for 0–11 months of age was 22.4 (18.6–27.0)/1000 child-years (CY) and the hospital-associated rate was 14.1 (11.1–17.8)/1000 CY. For preterm infants, these rates were 26.2 (17.8–38.5)/1000 CY and 12.6 (7.2–22.0)/1000 CY. Comparable rates in the first 6 months were 15.9 (11.8–21.4)/1000 CY and 12.9 (9.3–18.0)/1000 CY in term infants and 26.3 (15.4–45.0)/1000 CY and 10.1 (4.2–24.2)/1000 CY for preterms. The single RSV B season had higher incidences of RSV LRTI in every age group than the 2 RSV A seasons in both preterm and term infants. There were 11 deaths, all term infants.ConclusionsStudies restricted to the healthcare settings significantly underestimate the burden of RSV LRTI and preterm and term infants have comparable burdens of disease in this rural community.

Family and Child Risk Factors for Early-Life RSV Illness

Most infants hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) do not meet common "high-risk" criteria and are otherwise healthy. The objective of this study was to quantify the risks and relative importance of socioeconomic factors for severe, early-life RSV-related illness. We hypothesized several of these factors, particularly those indicating severe social vulnerability, would have statistically significant associations with increased RSV hospitalization rates and may offer impactful targets for population-based RSV prevention strategies, such as prophylaxis programs. We used linked health, laboratory, and sociodemographic administrative data for all children born in Ontario (2012-2018) to identify all RSV-related hospitalizations occurring before the third birthday or end of follow-up (March 31, 2019). We estimated rate ratios and population attributable fractions using a fully adjusted model. A total of 11 782 RSV-related hospitalizations were identified among 789 484 children. Multiple socioeconomic factors were independently associated with increased RSV-related admissions, including young maternal age, maternal criminal involvement, and maternal history of serious mental health and/or addiction concerns. For example, an estimated 4.1% (95% confidence interval: 2.2 to 5.9) of RSV-related admissions could be prevented by eliminating the increased admissions risks among children whose mothers used welfare-based drug insurance. Notably, 41.6% (95% confidence interval: 39.6 to 43.5) of admissions may be prevented by targeting older siblings (eg, through vaccination). Many social factors were independently associated with early-life RSV-related hospitalization. Existing RSV prophylaxis and emerging vaccination programs should consider the importance of both clinical and social risk factors when determining eligibility and promoting compliance.

A Survey of Parental Knowledge of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Other Respiratory Infections in Preterm Infants.

Evaluate parental knowledge of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory infections in preterm infants. Survey. Five hundred and eighty-three parents of preterm infants with generalized, Canadian provincial representation. Knowledge of RSV infection, sources of information, and parental understanding of disease risk. 97.9 percent (571/583) of the parents had heard about RSV, since they all had a preterm infant. Sixty-one percent reported having good knowledge of RSV; 19.4 percent had very good knowledge; 19.7 percent had little or no awareness of RSV-related infection. Most (86.3 percent) believed that RSV illness was a very serious condition; 13 percent recognized that it could be a major problem for their child. Principal sources of information were the nurse, doctor and pamphlets. Over 480 participants cited 3 or more sources of additional information-Internet, social media platforms, and educational sessions. Respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis was a priority, but knowledge regarding the eligibility criteria for prophylaxis is essential.

Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection During the First Year of Life.

Although many infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection are hospitalized, most infants are treated as outpatients. Limited data are available on the burden of RSV in outpatient infants. In a prospective study, we enrolled 431 newborn infants and followed them up for a 10-month period (September-June). During each respiratory illness, we examined the infants and obtained nasopharyngeal specimens for the detection of RSV. The parents completed daily symptom diaries throughout the study. Among 408 active participants, the seasonal incidence rate of RSV illness was 328.4 per 1000 (95% confidence interval [CI], 275.2-389.0). Infants with ≥1 sibling had a 1.9-fold higher incidence of RSV illness than those without siblings (95% CI, 1.3-2.8; P < .001). Acute otitis media developed in 103 (76.9%) of 134 infants with RSV infection, and 95 (70.9%) were treated with antibiotics. Nine infants with RSV (6.7%) were hospitalized, for a seasonal incidence rate of RSV hospitalization of 22.1 per 1000 (95% CI, 10.1-41.9). The outpatient burden of RSV is heavy on infants during the first year of life. Acute otitis media is a frequent complication of RSV, and it should be included in cost-effectiveness analyses of prevention or treatment of RSV infections in infants.

Modelling the household-level impact of a maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine in a high-income setting

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects almost all children by the age of 2 years, with the risk of hospitalisation highest in the first 6 months of life. Development and licensure of a vaccine to prevent severe RSV illness in infants is a public health priority. A recent phase 3 clinical trial estimated the efficacy of maternal vaccination at 39% over the first 90 days of life. Households play a key role in RSV transmission; however, few estimates of population-level RSV vaccine impact account for household structure.MethodsWe simulated RSV transmission within a stochastic, individual-based model framework, using an existing demographic model, structured by age and household and parameterised with Australian data, as an exemplar of a high-income country. We modelled vaccination by immunising pregnant women and explicitly linked the immune status of each mother-infant pair. We quantified the impact on children for a range of vaccine properties and uptake levels.ResultsWe found that a maternal immunisation strategy would have the most substantial impact in infants younger than 3 months, reducing RSV infection incidence in this age group by 16.6% at 70% vaccination coverage. In children aged 3–6 months, RSV infection was reduced by 5.3%. Over the first 6 months of life, the incidence rate for infants born to unvaccinated mothers was 1.26 times that of infants born to vaccinated mothers. The impact in older age groups was more modest, with evidence of infections being delayed to the second year of life.ConclusionsOur findings show that while individual benefit from maternal RSV vaccination could be substantial, population-level reductions may be more modest. Vaccination impact was sensitive to the extent that vaccination prevented infection, highlighting the need for more vaccine trial data.