Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Human Bronchial Epithelium

Abstract
RESPIRATORY syncytial virus (RSV) is the single most important viral respiratory pathogen in the world. Annual RSV epidemics occur in all geographic and climatic regions. Nearly every child will have contracted at least 1 RSV infection by the age of 2 years.1,2 Immunity is incomplete after the first or second infection, and repeated infections are common.1,2 Mortality rates up to 5% have been reported in infants and children with underlying heart or lung disease, and can exceed 90% in severely immunocompromised children and adults.2-4