Respiratory syncytial virus infection: Pathogenesis, treatment and prevention

Respiratory syncytial virus is the most important viral cause of lower respiratory infections in children worldwide. Our current understanding of the pathogenesis of disease is based on animal models and a few human studies. The development of an infectious cDNA of respiratory syncytial virus promises to give a better understanding of the genetic basis of the pathogenesis of the virus, and will allow for the manipulation of the genome, Presently the only preventive measure available is a respiratory syncytial virus hyperimmune globulin that is effective in high-risk children. No effective therapeutic interventions or vaccines are currently available.