Human respiratory syncytial virus pathophysiology

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a negative sense, single stranded RNA virus, member of Pneumoviridae family, Orthopneumovirus genus. It is spread by direct contact with infectious sections or by self-inoculation after touching contaminated surfaces. The virus infects the ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory tract triggering an intense inflammatory response.

• Respiratory syncytial virus is spread by
  • Direct contact with an infected individual
  • Self-inoculation after touching contaminated surfaces^[1]
  • Infectious sections in form of large-particle aerosols or fomites^[2]

• The virus infects the ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, specifically the bronchioles. It may also infect the basal cells, targeting the airway epithelium^[3].

• Upon infection, an intense inflammatory response is triggered, mediated initially by the infected airway epithelial cells^[4][5].

• RSV is an enveloped, negative sense, single stranded RNA virus. It is member of Pneumoviridae family, Orthopneumovirus genus^[5].
• The viral genome encodes 11 proteins. The G protein is responsible for viral attachment to cells, and the F protein promotes syncytia formation^[4].