A Durable Relationship: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis and Asthma past Their Golden Anniversary

Abstract

Numerous preventive strategies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are undergoing late stage evaluation in humans and, in addition to their intended benefit for acute illness, may impact long term consequences of infection in infants. Severe RSV infection has been repeatedly associated in the literature with long term complications, including impaired lung function, recurrent wheezing, and asthma. However, whether RSV lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) causally affects the odds for developing wheezing and/or asthma during childhood requires further study, and the biological mechanisms underlying this hypothetical progression from viral illness to chronic lung disease are poorly characterized. In this review, we summarize the literature exploring the association between RSV LRTI in infancy and subsequent recurrent wheezing and pediatric asthma.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in adult patients hospitalized with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus infections

“…Consistent with prior study results, we found that patients with RSV and hMPV infections were more likely to be older and to suffer from underlying systemic diseases such as cancer [30,31]. The presence of myalgia was more often associated with influenza [32,33], whereas nasal congestion and dyspnea were more closely linked to RSV infection [34,35]. Indeed, wheezing and dyspnea are more characteristic of RSV infections in both infants and adults [34,36,37], likely owing to the fact that RSV exhibits a specific tropism for small airway epithelial cells, thus resulting in lower respiratory tract involvement.…”

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of adult patients hospitalized with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus infections: a prospective, cohort study

“…Consistent with prior study results, we found that patients with RSV and hMPV infections were more likely to be older and to suffer from underlying systemic diseases such as cancer [30][31]. The presence of myalgia was more often associated with in uenza [32][33], whereas nasal congestion and dyspnea were more closely linked to RSV infection [34][35]. Indeed, wheezing and dyspnea are more characteristic of RSV infections in both infants and adults [34,[36][37], likely owing to the fact that RSV exhibits a speci c tropism for small airway epithelial cells, thus resulting in lower respiratory tract involvement.…”

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and respiratory syncytial virus coinfection in children

“…In children, RSV can lead to severe respiratory disease requiring hospitalization, and causes death in some rare cases. Other RSV symptoms common among infants include listlessness, poor or diminished appetite, and fever [16][17][18]. RSV and COVID-19 coinfection may increase the severity of disease in children.…”