Human respiratory syncytial virus historical perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Bassel Almarie M.D.[2]

Overview

Respiratory syncytial virus was first isolated in chimpanzees with respiratory tract infections 1956. A year later, two infants with respiratory illnesses had an identical virus. The virus was first referred to as chimpanzee coryza agent but later was renamed to ”respiratory syncytial virus” given its characteristic epithelial cells, which clump together when cultured to form syncytia.

Historical Perspective

Respiratory syncytial virus was first identified in 1956. The virus was isolated in chimpanzees with respiratory tract infections and was therefore referred to as chimpanzee coryza agent^[1].

In 1957, two similar viruses were isolated in infants with respiratory illnesses, which demonstrated to be indistinguishable from chimpanzee coryza agent. The virus was confirmed in humans and to be associated with respiratory illnesses in children^[2]^[3].

The virus was renamed in subsequent years to ”respiratory syncytial virus” given the characteristic cytopathic effect on tissue culture cells by which the infected epithelial cells clump together to form large cell-like structure known as syncytia ^[4]^[5]^[6].

References

↑ BLOUNT RE, MORRIS JA, SAVAGE RE (1956). “Recovery of cytopathogenic agent from chimpanzees with coryza”. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 92 (3): 544–9. doi:10.3181/00379727-92-22538. PMID 13359460.
↑ CHANOCK R, ROIZMAN B, MYERS R (1957). “Recovery from infants with respiratory illness of a virus related to chimpanzee coryza agent (CCA). I. Isolation, properties and characterization”. Am J Hyg. 66 (3): 281–90. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a119901. PMID 13478578.
↑ BEEM M, WRIGHT FH, HAMRE D, EGERER R, OEHME M (1960). “Association of the chimpanzee coryza agent with acute respiratory disease in children”. N Engl J Med. 263: 523–30. doi:10.1056/NEJM196009152631101. PMID 13798226.
↑ CHANOCK RM, KIM HW, VARGOSKO AJ, DELEVA A, JOHNSON KM, CUMMING C; et al. (1961). “Respiratory syncytial virus. I. Virus recovery and other observations during 1960 outbreak of bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and minor respiratory diseases in children”. JAMA. 176: 647–53. PMID 13692354.
↑ “Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics”.
↑ Hall CB, McBride JT (1991). “Respiratory syncytial virus–from chimps with colds to conundrums and cures”. N Engl J Med. 325 (1): 57–8. doi:10.1056/NEJM199107043250110. PMID 2046710.

[pmid13359460-1] BLOUNT RE, MORRIS JA, SAVAGE RE (1956). “Recovery of cytopathogenic agent from chimpanzees with coryza”. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 92 (3): 544–9. doi:10.3181/00379727-92-22538. PMID 13359460.

[pmid13478578-2] CHANOCK R, ROIZMAN B, MYERS R (1957). “Recovery from infants with respiratory illness of a virus related to chimpanzee coryza agent (CCA). I. Isolation, properties and characterization”. Am J Hyg. 66 (3): 281–90. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a119901. PMID 13478578.

[pmid13798226-3] BEEM M, WRIGHT FH, HAMRE D, EGERER R, OEHME M (1960). “Association of the chimpanzee coryza agent with acute respiratory disease in children”. N Engl J Med. 263: 523–30. doi:10.1056/NEJM196009152631101. PMID 13798226.

[pmid13692354-4] CHANOCK RM, KIM HW, VARGOSKO AJ, DELEVA A, JOHNSON KM, CUMMING C; et al. (1961). “Respiratory syncytial virus. I. Virus recovery and other observations during 1960 outbreak of bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and minor respiratory diseases in children”. JAMA. 176: 647–53. PMID 13692354.

[urlHuman_Respiratory_Syncytial_Virus_-_an_overview_|_ScienceDirect_Topics-5] “Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics”.

[pmid2046710-6] Hall CB, McBride JT (1991). “Respiratory syncytial virus–from chimps with colds to conundrums and cures”. N Engl J Med. 325 (1): 57–8. doi:10.1056/NEJM199107043250110. PMID 2046710.

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