Expert Perspectives on Safeguarding Infants and Children from Respiratory Syncytial Virus - European Medical Journal

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Expert Perspectives on Safeguarding Infants and Children from Respiratory Syncytial Virus

4 Mins
Respiratory
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Interviewee:
João Farela Neves1,2,3

1. Department of Paediatrics, Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
2. Primary Immunodeficiencies Unit, Hospital Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Portugal
3. Chronic Diseases Research Centre and Comprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal

Disclosure:

Neves has received speaker/advisory board honoraria from CSL Behring, GSK, Octapharma, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

Acknowledgements:

Medical writing assistance was provided by Hannah Moir, EMJ, London, UK. The interviewee was given the opportunity to review the article.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the named interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Sanofi.

Support:

The publication of this article was funded by Sanofi.

Citation:
EMJ Respir. ;12[Suppl 1]:2-5. DOI/10.33590/emjrespir/10306329. https://doi.org/10.33590/emjrespir/10306329.
Keywords:
Children, healthcare system, infants, infection, lower respiratory tract infections, prevention measures, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), virus.

Each article is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 License.

Interview Summary

For this article, EMJ conducted an interview with key opinion leader, João Farela Neves, who currently holds the positions of Paediatrician and Director of the Department of Paediatrics at the Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal. He also serves as an Associate Professor/Invited Assistant and researcher at NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal. Neves specialises in paediatric immunology, with a specific focus on primary immunodeficiencies, paediatric infectious diseases, paediatric intensive care, and clinical immunology.
In this interview, Neves discussed the importance of safeguarding infants and children from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) due to the associated risk factors, particularly among infants under the age of 2 years. This discussion highlighted that RSV can impose a significant burden on healthcare systems, families, and infants alike, while also addressing the potential strategies for prevention to safeguard vulnerable populations. Neves provided insights into the importance of implementing preventive measures, which encompass both non-pharmacological interventions and pharmaceutical measures. These interventions are aimed at mitigating hospitalisations, and alleviating the burden of long-term respiratory conditions in infants. Furthermore, Neves highlighted the importance of improving health education and fostering awareness regarding the potential severity of RSV. This awareness is needed among the general public, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

INTRODUCTION

RSV is a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus, that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family.1,2 RSV is highly infectious, is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, and spreads rapidly within crowded environments, such as households, schools, nurseries, and hospitals.2,3 RSV instigates infections in the respiratory tract, inducing inflammation, cellular damage, and airway obstruction.3,4

THE ENDURING IMPACT OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS ON INFANTS

RSV continues to impose a major burden on healthcare systems, contributing annually to approximately 33 million infection episodes, resulting in 3.2 million hospital admissions, and 118,200 deaths among children under 5 years old worldwide.5 Infants, particularly those under the age of 2 years old, remain highly vulnerable to the threat imposed by RSV.6,7 Notably, RSV can cause bronchiolitis in infants, which is a leading cause of hospitalisation in children under 12 months of age worldwide.8,9

Neves also identified that infants considered at ‘high-risk’ from RSV encompass those born prematurely, or with underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease and chronic pulmonary diseases, who may be predisposed to severe RSV-associated illnesses.10 However, most RSV-related hospitalisations (approximately 80–90%) occur in previously healthy infants without underlying medical conditions.11-15 Furthermore, those who have a severe burden of disease may encounter other long-term respiratory conditions in later life.16 For example, Neves identified that children (up to 5 years old) infected with RSV during early infancy may go on to develop recurrent wheezing,17 where studies have associated a link with asthma and genetic predisposition, all of which collectively contribute to the burden on the healthcare system.16,18

The Immune Challenges of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Infants

As highlighted by Neves, a key risk factor contributing to severe RSV disease in infants is their immature immune systems, and small respiratory tracts.19 The virus undergoes its life cycle within infected epithelial cells of the airway, thereby hindering the effective clearance of RSV by hampering the establishment of a well-balanced Th1-type immune response.2 This response involves the activation of cytotoxic T-cells that secrete interferon γ.2 Neves elucidated that this response is “not very robust,” indicating a relatively mild Th1 response. Consequently, RSV evades the human adaptive immune response, leading to an imbalance,2 favouring a Th2-type immune response that is responsible for enduring immunity through the production of neutralising antibodies against reinfection.6,20 This implies that RSV fails to induce a robust, long-term immune defence. As stated by Neves, individuals “can get reinfected in the same RSV season, because they don’t get durable and enough protection from the immune system,” therefore rendering individuals susceptible to recurrent infection by the same or distinct RSV strains.6,21

THE PREVENTION OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS IN INFANTS

Preventing the impact of RSV infections is of key concern, noted Neves, due to its significant implications for infants, families, and healthcare systems. Neves explored preventive measures, including non-pharmacological interventions, as well as pharmacological options. Neves noted that previously, there were gaps in immunisation schedules regarding protection against RSV disease, highlighting the challenges in developing preventive options for RSV, due to the virus’ unique characteristics, and the difficulty in mounting a strong immune response.

RSV is considered highly seasonal, predominately occurring from October–March in temperate climates,22 while the pattern is more diverse in tropical countries.23 Notably, the epidemiological landscape of RSV underwent a marked shift during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a substantial reduction in transmission.24 Neves highlighted how this change demonstrated the importance and efficacy of non-pharmacological measures, such as diligent handwashing and mask utilisation in crowded settings, to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses, including RSV. However, following the relaxation of COVID restrictions, there was a resurgence of RSV, as noted by an increase in RSV cases.25-27

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemiology and behaviour of RSV altered, leading to more cases seen in older children.26,27 Neves identified that pregnant females were not being infected with RSV during their pregnancy, therefore resulting in limited antibody responses, and subsequently contributing to an increase in RSV cases in infants under 3 months old.28,29 Neves stated that this pattern highlighted the importance of passive immunity to help protect infants against RSV-related illness.

Prior to 2022, protection from RSV lower respiratory tract infection was limited to only infants with a higher individual risk. However, Neves noted that “we all live in very exciting times,” where prevention of RSV lower respiratory tract infection is now possible for groups at risk of severe RSV disease, including the infant population and older adults.

FOSTERING AWARENESS AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS EPIDEMIC

Neves also highlighted the responsibility of healthcare professionals to increase the understanding of parents and caregivers, stating that there is a need for greater health education and heightened awareness regarding the potential seriousness of RSV among the general public, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Neves emphasised the importance of raising awareness about the significant burden of RSV on both infants and healthcare systems, while also providing insights into potential preventive measures. The objective is to inform and educate the audience, particularly parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, regarding the critical importance of understanding, and effectively preventing, RSV in infants.

CONCLUSION

Neves identified the significant impact of RSV on infants and healthcare systems, offering insights into its patterns and preventive measures. This interview explored the current preventive measures encompassing both non-pharmacological interventions and pharmaceutical measures. Neves identified the importance and need for implementing preventive measures, and their potential implications for infants, families, and healthcare systems, which Neves stated requires further investigation. Neves noted the importance of educating stakeholders, particularly parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, to ensure vital understanding and effective management of RSV in infants. This collective responsibility aims to alleviate the burden of RSV, and to foster a well-informed, proactive approach towards its management.

MAT-GLB-2304613 (v1.0) November 2023

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