Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Date: 2 سال قبل
author: AmirAbad
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Clinical Manifestations
This virus causes upper and lower respiratory tract
disease; the latter is most frequent in young children and is also significant
in the elderly.
Classification and Antigenic Types
Respiratory syncytial viruses are divided into types A
and B
Pathogenesis
Transmission is by droplets or direct contact. The virus
infects the ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory mucosa and
disseminates locally. Disease is caused partly by immunopathologic
antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
Host Defenses
Nonspecific immune defenses, including interferon, are
followed by the appearance of secretory and serum antibody and cell-mediated
responses. Reinfection occurs, but the frequency and severity of disease
decrease with age.
EpidemiologyThis disease is found worldwide; in
temperate climates, epidemics occur in winter and early spring and affect
mainly infants and young children.
Diagnosis
Clinical symptoms are nonspecific; laboratory diagnosis
is made by detecting viral antigen, by isolating the virus or by detecting RNA
with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or by detecting a rise in antibody titer
or elevated IgM antibodies in a single serum.
Control
There is no vaccine. Aerosolized ribavirin can be used
for treatment if necessary. In hospital wards, infected patients may be
isolated.
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