Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Current Progress in Vaccine Development
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the etiological agent for a serious lower respiratory tract disease responsible for close to 200,000 annual deaths worldwide. The first infection is generally most severe, while re-infections usually associate with a milder disease. This observation and the findi...
Main Authors: | , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2013-02-01
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Series: | Viruses |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/5/2/577 |
Summary: | Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the etiological agent for a serious lower respiratory tract disease responsible for close to 200,000 annual deaths worldwide. The first infection is generally most severe, while re-infections usually associate with a milder disease. This observation and the finding that re-infection risks are inversely associated with neutralizing antibody titers suggest that immune responses generated toward a first RSV exposure can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality throughout life. For more than half a century, researchers have endeavored to design a vaccine for RSV that can mimic or improve upon natural protective immunity without adverse events. The virus is herein described together with the hurdles that must be overcome to develop a vaccine and some current vaccine development approaches. |
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ISSN: | 1999-4915 |