L14 Respiratory Syncytial Virus
What is RSV?
The most important cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children. It is known
to cause Bronchiolitis and Pneumonia
Explain the pathogenesis of RSV:
Transmission i) direct contact
ii) aerosols inhalation
Multiplication and Spread Locally in the epithelial cells of the nasopharynx.
May spread to the lower respiratory tract to cause bronchiolitis
and pneumonia.
Explain the pathology of RSV:
Lymphocytes recruited to the site of infection secrete cytokines that damage the respiratory tract.
Changes that occur include:
- Peribronchiolar infiltration of inflammatory cells
- Submucosal edema
- Necrosis of bronchiolar epithelium
- Formation of plugs that consist of mucus, cellular debris, and fibrin.
Block small bronchioles
What are the clinical manifestations of RSV?
Incubation period 3−5 days
Infants Most common cause of lower respiratory tract infection in
infants < 1 year
RSV causes bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and tracheobronchitis in 20−40% of infected infants
What are the symptoms of RSV?
A. Children
Running nose, fever, cough, wheezing, and dyspnea
Peribranchial thickening and diffused interstitial infiltration
shown by X-ray
Lobar consolidation
Most commonly due to pneumonia
Severe infection in cases of underlying Congenital Cardiac Disease, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia,
Nephrotic Syndrome, Or Immunosuppression
What is RSV?
The most important cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children. It is known
to cause Bronchiolitis and Pneumonia
Explain the pathogenesis of RSV:
Transmission i) direct contact
ii) aerosols inhalation
Multiplication and Spread Locally in the epithelial cells of the nasopharynx.
May spread to the lower respiratory tract to cause bronchiolitis
and pneumonia.
Explain the pathology of RSV:
Lymphocytes recruited to the site of infection secrete cytokines that damage the respiratory tract.
Changes that occur include:
- Peribronchiolar infiltration of inflammatory cells
- Submucosal edema
- Necrosis of bronchiolar epithelium
- Formation of plugs that consist of mucus, cellular debris, and fibrin.
Block small bronchioles
What are the clinical manifestations of RSV?
Incubation period 3−5 days
Infants Most common cause of lower respiratory tract infection in
infants < 1 year
RSV causes bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and tracheobronchitis in 20−40% of infected infants
What are the symptoms of RSV?
A. Children
Running nose, fever, cough, wheezing, and dyspnea
Peribranchial thickening and diffused interstitial infiltration
shown by X-ray
Lobar consolidation
Most commonly due to pneumonia
Severe infection in cases of underlying Congenital Cardiac Disease, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia,
Nephrotic Syndrome, Or Immunosuppression
