Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) News and Research

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older children. However, it can cause serious problems in young babies, including pneumonia and severe breathing problems. In rare cases it can lead to death. Premature babies and those with other health problems have the highest risk. A child with RSV may have a fever, stuffy nose, cough and trouble breathing. Tests can tell if your child has the virus.

Brief exposure to pollution-causing particles triggers lung infections in children

Even the briefest increase in airborne fine particulate matter PM2.5, pollution-causing particles that are about 3% of the diameter of human hair, is associated with the development of acute lower respiratory infection in young children, according to newly published research.

13 Apr 2018

Study identifies genetic factors linked to severity of acute viral bronchiolitis

A scientific study conducted at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in São Paulo State, Brazil, has identified genetic factors associated with the severity of acute viral bronchiolitis. The study was supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP. Its results were published in the journal Gene.

27 Mar 2018

Discovery may lead to effective research and better treatments for Ebola, other viral diseases

University of Alberta researchers have found the Ebola polymerase (enzyme), which may lead to more effective research and better treatments for the often fatal infection, and other related viral diseases.

8 Mar 2018

Special protein improves survival and lung function of mice with influenza, study shows

GM-CSF, a protein that modifies the immune response to the flu, may also help reduce lung inflammation and improve survival during influenza, according to Penn State researchers.

8 Feb 2018

Researchers trace root cause of bronchiolitis symptoms

Every winter, doctors' offices and hospital emergency rooms fill with children who have bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the small airways in the lung.

25 Jan 2018

UCLA expert suggests measures for reducing risk of getting sick during holiday travel

It's that time of year when families jet off to all parts of the country – and the globe-;to share some holiday cheer. Unfortunately, all that travel forces people into often-crowded airplanes, automobiles and airports. And there's the sharing of hugs and kisses with loved ones upon arrival at their destination.

28 Dec 2017

EPFL scientists create gold nanoparticles to combat all viruses

HIV, dengue, papillomavirus, herpes and Ebola - these are just some of the many viruses that kill millions of people every year, mostly children in developing countries. While drugs can be used against some viruses, there is currently no broad-spectrum treatment that is effective against several at the same time, in the same way that broad-spectrum antibiotics fight a range of bacteria.

18 Dec 2017

Study offers solution to protect against vaccine-enhanced respiratory disease

Researchers have discovered that a virus-like particle vaccine can prime the body's immune response and prevent the severe respiratory disease that results when patients given an early form of a vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are exposed to RSV, according to a study led by Georgia State University.

23 Oct 2017

ESCMID conference brings together renowned experts to address most pressing questions on vaccines

Registration is open for the 4th ESCMID Conference on Vaccines. New and old diseases in children and adults: unmet needs in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Friday 8 September to Sunday 10 September 2017. Registration for bona fide journalists is free.

26 Aug 2017

Researchers discover gene mutations that worsen respiratory infections among children

Researchers funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation have discovered mutations that worsen respiratory infections among children. Their study explains the mechanism involved.

18 Jul 2017

Research highlights need for vaccines to prevent child deaths from fatal lung infections

Vaccines to combat a virus that can lead to fatal lung infections are urgently needed to help prevent child deaths worldwide, research suggests.

10 Jul 2017

Scientists find new clues to how RSV causes disease

By age 2, most children have been infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which usually causes only mild cold symptoms. But people with weakened immune systems, such as infants and the elderly, can face serious complications, including pneumonia and -- in some cases -- death.

30 Jun 2017

CUMC researchers create new organoids that mimic features of full-sized lung

New lung "organoids"-tiny 3-D structures that mimic features of a full-sized lung- have been created from human pluripotent stem cells by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center. The team used the organoids to generate models of human lung diseases in a lab dish, which could be used to advance our understanding of a variety of respiratory diseases.

11 May 2017

Serum Institute signs licensing agreement to commercialize St. Jude vaccine against RSV

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Serum Institute of India have signed a licensing agreement to complete development and commercialization of a St. Jude vaccine against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the virus that causes croup and lower respiratory infections. RSV kills about 160,000 people, primarily infants, worldwide each year.

10 May 2017

One-shot vaccine passes key preclinical test in newborn monkey models

Newborns are highly vulnerable to infections and don't respond optimally to most vaccines because their young immune systems typically mount weak antibody responses.

24 Mar 2017

Investigational RSV vaccine protects cattle from respiratory diseases

A novel vaccine developed by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, protected cattle from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, according to research published online in npj Vaccines on March 8.

10 Mar 2017

Researchers develop new antiviral strategy to combat respiratory syncytial virus

Researchers from VIB, UGent, the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and several collaborators developed a new antiviral strategy to fight human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children.

13 Feb 2017

Preterm babies given monoclonal antibody appear less likely to develop recurrent wheeze

Preterm babies given the monoclonal antibody palivizumab to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also appear less likely to develop recurrent wheeze, at least until the age of six, according to new research published online, ahead of print in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Medicine.

6 Feb 2017

Penn scientists find cytokine as key to fighting and treating viral infection in the lungs

Viral infections that occur in a patient's lungs are a significant cause of hospitalization and death among children and the elderly.

3 Feb 2017

Scientists discover critical role of biological molecule in protecting against infection

Scientists have discovered that a biological molecule important in cell growth (STAT3) is also critical in protecting us against infection - so much so that we would be unable to fight the common flu virus without it.

26 Jan 2017