Recent observations regarding the pathogenesis of recurrent respiratory syncytial virus infections: implications for vaccine development.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus are common pathogens for all age groups. Currently licensed influenza virus vaccines generally provide protection from clinically detectable disease caused by antigenically matched challenging viruses. In contrast, vaccine development for RSV has been hampered by the inability of candidate vaccines to induce protective immunity to naturally occurring infection. The precise mechanism(s) responsible for the RSV vaccine failures have not been determined. We raise the possibility that infection by RSV is associated with attenuation of both proliferative and non-proliferative RSV-specific responses by human mononuclear leucocytes that results in the suppression or delay of host anamnestic defences, allowing development of recurrent clinical illness despite pre-existing immunity.
Salkind
A R
AR
Infectious Diseases Unit, University of Rochester School of Medicine, NY 14642.
Roberts
N J
NJ
D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D012008:Recurrence; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000276:immunology*; D010253:Respirovirus Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
D014765:Viral Vaccines