Skip to main content
  • Supplement
  • Published:

Prevention and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis and postbronchiolitic wheezing

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the primary cause of hospitalization for acute respiratory tract illness in general and specifically for bronchiolitis in young children. The link between RSV bronchiolitis and reactive airway disease is not completely understood, even though RSV bronchiolitis is frequently followed by recurrent episodes of wheezing. Therapy with ribavirin does not appear to significantly reduce long-term respiratory outcome of RSV lower respiratory tract infection, and corticosteroid or bronchodilator therapy may possibly improve outcomes only on a short-term basis. No vaccine against RSV is yet available. It is not known whether prophylaxis with RSV intravenous immune globulin or palivizumab can reduce postbronchiolitic wheezing.

Introduction

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause acute clinical findings that range from symptoms of upper respiratory infection, with or without otitis media, to severe lower respiratory tract disease. Virtually all children become infected with RSV within 2 years of birth, most commonly before 6 months of age, and 1% require hospitalization [1]. RSV is the primary cause of hospitalization for acute respiratory tract illness in young children, and it may be responsible for 40–90% of cases of bronchiolitis, for 5–40% of cases of pneumonia, and for 10–30% of cases of tracheobronchitis in this age group [2].

RSV is transmitted most commonly by direct contact with surfaces or persons contaminated with infectious nasal secretions. After an incubation period of 2–8 days, RSV replicates in the nasopharyngeal epithelium and can spread to the lower respiratory tract within 1–3 days [3]. Pneumonia or bronchiolitis occurs in 30–71% of infants and young children at the time of first RSV infection [4].

RSV bronchiolitis is often followed by recurrent episodes of wheezing, although the pathogenesis of this link is poorly understood. Bont et al.[5] found that 47% of 130 infants hospitalized for RSV lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) developed recurrent wheezing during a 1-year follow up. The occurrence of wheezing was significantly higher in infants with airflow limitation (61%) than for those without airflow limitation (21%; P < 0.001) during the acute infection. In a study by conducted by Stein et al.[6], 207 children who had RSV LRTI before age 3 years also had a significantly increased risk for both infrequent wheezing and frequent wheezing by age 6 years (3.2 and 4.3 times greater incidence than in children who did not have RSV LRTI before age 3 years, respectively; P < 0.001). However, this risk decreased and was no longer significant by age 13 years, and none of the patients was hospitalized. Sigurs et al. [7] demonstrated that RSV bronchiolitis that was severe enough to require hospitalization in 47 infants was highly associated (P < 0.001) with development of asthma and recurrent wheeze up to age 7.5 years. The cumulative prevalence of asthma was 30% in the RSV group and 3% in the control group (P < 0.001), and the cumulative prevalence rates of any wheezing were 68% and 34%, respectively (P < 0.001).

The majority of children who experience postbronchiolitic wheezing have multiple (recurrent) episodes. Hall [3] cited subsequent episodes of wheezing in 40–50% of infants hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis, imposing a significant burden on health care resources. During the 1980s, an estimated 100,000 children were hospitalized with RSV infection in the USA annually [3, 8], at a cost of US$300 million. In the study conducted by Bont et al. [5] recurrent wheezing in the hospitalized infants was defined as two or more episodes; respiratory symptoms were recorded in a daily diary. Infants had a total of 241 episodes of wheezing, with a median number of two episodes.

It is difficult to predict which children will develop recurrent wheezing, although some clinical and immunologic parameters may be useful in prediction models in the future. Airflow limitation during RSV LRTI is the first useful clinical predictor of subsequent recurrent wheezing and physician diagnosed asthma in early childhood [5]. Another predictor may be monocyte interleukin-10 responses in vitro to stimulation with nonspecific stimuli [9]. In addition, a high (≥ 16 μg/l) serum eosinophil cationic protein concentration during the acute phase of bronchiolitis is a specific but insensitive predictor of wheezing after bronchiolitis [10]. Thus, a high serum level of eosinophil cationic protein is strongly predictive of subsequent wheezing, but low values do not exclude wheezing episodes in the future.

The pathogenesis of recurrent wheezing after RSV LRTI is not completely understood. Prospective, randomized studies are needed to determine whether severe RSV LRTI causes long-term pulmonary sequelae and a predisposition to wheezing, or whether inherent genetic or structural abnormalities predispose a child to both severe LRTI and wheezing later in life. If severe RSV LRTI causes subsequent wheezing, then reducing the severity of RSV LRTI should reduce the risk for subsequent wheezing. This issue has been explored in several studies of RSV LRTI treatment or prevention; these studies are discussed below.

Therapy for respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis

Antiviral therapy with aerosolized ribavirin and symptomatic therapy with bronchodilators and corticosteroids are the available treatment options for RSV infections. Unfortunately, they produce only a modest short-term improvement in respiratory outcome, or have no effect at all.

Ribavirin is a synthetic guanosine analog and broad-spectrum antiviral agent that is approved only for hospitalized infants and young children with severe RSV infection. Ribavirin inhibits RSV replication during the active replication phase. Use of aerosolized ribavirin has been associated with improved oxygenation and clinical scores [11] and with reduced levels of secretory mediators of inflammation associated with severe disease and wheezing [12]. However, some investigations were criticized for their methodology and use of subjective end-points (e.g. clinical score) rather than objective end-points (e.g. mortality, arterial oxygen saturation, and need for or duration of mechanical ventilation) [13]. Any beneficial effects of ribavirin, such as a reduction in duration of mechanical ventilation or hospitalization, are unproven [3], and routine use in high-risk children with RSV infections is no longer warranted [13].

Most available data do not support the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of acute RSV bronchiolitis. Intravenous hydrocortisone followed by oral prednisone [14], intramuscular or oral dexamethasone [15, 16], and oral prednisolone [17] have yielded little or no benefit, except possibly in a select subgroup of patients.

Several trials [18–21] have also shown that β2-agonist bronchodilators, such as salbutamol and the anticholinergic agent ipratropium bromide, have no beneficial effect on acute RSV bronchiolitis. Although bronchodilators may produce a modest short-term improvement in clinical scores [13], Flores and Horwitz [22] concluded (on the basis of an extensive meta-analysis) that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of β2-agonists to treat bronchiolitis.

Studies of the efficacy of vitamin A [23] and interferon [24] also had disappointing results. Oral administration of vitamin A did not decrease respiratory morbidity in children with acute RSV bronchiolitis [23]. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study [24], IFN-α-2a had a prophylactic effect but did not reduce the severity of signs and symptoms or duration of illness. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the frequency of colds in the two groups: one out of 19 receiving IFN-α-2a and seven out of 19 receiving placebo had colds. Also, 14 out of 19 receiving placebo showed laboratory evidence of RSV infection, versus 10 of 19 receiving IFN-α-2a. Because the risk for a secondary bacterial infection in patients with RSV bronchiolitis is very low [25], routine use of antibiotics is not warranted.

The results of two therapeutic trials with RSV intravenous immune globulin (RSV-IGIV; RespiGamâ„¢, MedImmune, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD, USA) were also disappointing. RSV-IGIV was no more effective than placebo in previously healthy children hospitalized with RSV infection with regard to duration of stay either in hospital or on the intensive care unit [26], or was it beneficial in hospitalized children at high risk for severe RSV infection [27]. However, RSV-IGIV has been shown to be effective in the prevention of RSV LRTI in these high-risk children.

Prophylaxis for respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis

Prevention of RSV bronchiolitis has met with greater success than has treatment. Although no vaccine is available to prevent RSV bronchiolitis, passive immunization can be conferred by RSV-IGIV, which contains high levels of RSV neutralizing antibody, or by intramuscular injections of the humanized monoclonal antibody palivizumab (Synagis®; MedImmune, Inc.). Both products are costly, however.

Vaccines

The development of vaccines for RSV has been confounded by failure to achieve durable immunity, even after natural infection, and by an incomplete understanding of the immune response to RSV. In the 1960s, a formalin-inactivated aluminum-precipitated vaccine failed to protect infants and children against naturally acquired RSV infection. Furthermore, on rechallenge with RSV the vaccine induced an immune-mediated response, resulting in increased hospitalizations for lower respiratory tract pathology and increased mortality [28–30].

Even if an effective vaccine could be developed that protects for at least the first few years of life, it might not be available for general use for another 5–10 years. Vaccination research has produced such candidates as the recombinant vaccine BBG2Na; subunit vaccines such as the purified fusion protein-2; and cold-passaged, temperature-sensitive vaccines. However, phase III efficacy trials in infants, young children, and the elderly are still lacking. In a phase I trial, the recombinant fusion protein BBG2Na was highly immunogenic and well tolerated, and had few side effects in healthy volunteers [13]. The use of purified fusion protein-2, which contains fusion protein of approximately 98% purity and small quantities of other virus proteins [31], resulted in a good immune response and a significant reduction in LRTIs in RSV-seropositive children with cystic fibrosis during the RSV season [32]. Important side effects, including upper respiratory tract symptoms such as nasal congestion, were observed with several candidate attenuated vaccines, particularly in infants younger than 2 months [13].

Respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin intravenous

Passive immunization with RSV-IGIV is effective as long as the neutralizing antibody titer is adequate. For example, in a study conducted by Groothuis et al.[33], 249 high-risk infants and young children with or without chronic lung disease and those with congenital heart disease were randomized to receive monthly infusions of high-dose RSV-IGIV (750 mg/kg body weight, n = 81), low-dose RSV-IGIV (150 mg/kg body weight, n = 79), or no prophylaxis (n = 89). The high-dose group showed a significant reduction (62%; P = 0.01) in the incidence of all RSV LRTIs and a 72% reduction (P = 0.03) in moderate or severe RSV LRTIs. Furthermore, the high-dose group had significantly fewer hospitalizations and hospital days (63%; P = 0.02), fewer days in the intensive care unit (97–100% reduction for both high and low doses; P = 0.05 for high dose and P = 0.03 for low dose), and decreased use of ribavirin (9%; P = 0.05). The greatest benefit of RSV-IGIV was observed in preterm infants with or without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). In a sub-analysis of that study [34], high-dose RSV-IGIV significantly reduced (P = 0.006) the incidence of moderate to severe RSV LRTIs and also decreased RSV hospitalizations in preterm infants with or without BPD (n = 58) versus placebo (n = 58; P = 0.06).

The PREVENT trial [35] found that monthly high-dose RSV-IGIV (750 mg/kg, n = 250) in infants with prematurity and BPD was associated with a 41% reduction in hospitalizations and 53% fewer days of hospitalization for RSV as compared with the placebo group (n = 260). The number of patients requiring mechanical ventilation, however, did not differ between the two groups. There was also no difference in the proportion of children who reported adverse events.

Drawbacks associated with the use of RSV-IGIV are the long duration of intravenous administration (several hours), the considerable volume needed (15 ml/kg), possible interference with normal vaccinations, and high cost. RSV-IGIV is not recommended in infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease because it was associated with a high rate of adverse events.

Palivizumab

Palivizumab is an IgG1 humanized monoclonal antibody that exhibits neutralizing and fusion-inhibitory activity against RSV. In the randomized, double-blind, multicenter IMpact-RSV Trial [36], monthly palivizumab prophylaxis by intramuscular injection (15 mg/kg body weight, n = 1002) versus placebo (n = 500) resulted in a significant reduction (55%; P = 0.00004) in RSV-related hospitalization in high-risk premature infants or infants with BPD. During the 150-day follow up, premature infants without BPD benefited most from the therapy. Palivizumab was safe and well tolerated, and there were no serious side effects or significant differences between the placebo and treatment groups in adverse events.

The advantages of palivizumab are its easy administration and lack of interference with normal vaccinations. As a result, it is generally used more commonly than RSV-IGIV. Its major disadvantage is its high cost. Other IgG monoclonal antibodies are being studied that may be future candidates for phase III clinical trials of prevention of RSV infection in high-risk infants.

Prevention of recurrent wheezing episodes

If the recurrent wheezing episodes associated with severe RSV LRTIs in infants are in fact due to the initial RSV infection, then these sequelae might be prevented in one of two ways. One is treating the initial RSV bronchiolitis episode in order to lessen its severity; treatment options include ribavirin and corticosteroids. The other option is to prevent RSV bronchiolitis; effective options include RSV-IGIV and palivizumab [37].

Ribavirin

Several studies have shown that ribavirin therapy for RSV LRTI appears to have no significant effect on long-term respiratory outcomes, although it may affect short-term outcomes. In the first study of ribavirin and its long-term sequelae in children hospitalized with RSV LRTI, Krilov et al.[38] identified no difference in the incidence of reactive airway disease (RAD) or in pulmonary function 6 years after treatment in those who received ribavirin (n = 33) and age-matched control children (n = 67). In that study, the ribavirin group had more severe disease. Similarly, a 9-year follow-up study of children hospitalized for RSV LRTI conducted by Long et al.[39] suggested that those randomized to receive ribavirin (n = 28) did not have a better outcome than did those randomized to receive placebo (n = 26). There were no differences between the two groups for any of the parameters studied, including recurrent LRTI, wheezing, and pulmonary function.

In a 7-year follow-up study, Rodriguez et al.[40] found no difference in RAD, wheezing, or pneumonia between children who received ribavirin (n = 24) and those who received placebo (n = 11), and no difference in results of methacholine challenge tests. However, none of six placebo patients had normal or mildly abnormal pulmonary function test results as compared with seven out of 13 ribavirin-treated patients. In contrast, the results of a 1-year retrospective study [41] suggest that ribavirin therapy might affect the short-term outcome of severe RSV bronchiolitis. Infants who received ribavirin (n = 22) had a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the prevalence of RAD as compared with those who underwent conservative management (n = 19), both in terms of percentage of patients developing airway reactivity (59% and 89%, respectively) and number of episodes of RAD (31 and 70, respectively).

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids to reduce local inflammation and bronchodilators to relax airway smooth muscle at the time of acute RSV infection were considered for several reasons [42]. First, there is a striking similarity between the clinical syndromes of bronchiolitis and childhood asthma, for which bronchodilators and corticosteroids are the mainstays of treatment. Second, RSV bronchiolitis is often followed by recurrent episodes of wheezing. Finally, bronchiolitis and childhood asthma have pathophysiologic and immunopathogenic mechanisms in common. The available data fail to show that corticosteroid therapy during or after RSV bronchiolitis effectively prevents recurrent wheezing. Only four out of the 10 studies [43–52] shown in Table 1 demonstrated any positive effect. In addition, the prevalence of postbronchiolitic wheezing was not reduced by oral prednisone with nebulized budesonide during the acute infection [52]. Although there are some indications that corticosteroids may have an effect in patients with more severe infection [53], longer-term studies, especially those that include pulmonary function testing, are needed.

Table 1 Effect of corticosteroids on recurrent wheezing

Respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin intravenous

In a study conducted at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital, Wenzel et al. [54] investigated the use of RSV-IGIV to prevent recurrent wheezing. Those investigators found that RSV-IGIV prophylaxis may have long-term effects on clinical and immunologic parameters of recurrent wheezing.

Palivizumab

Currently, no data are available on the use of palivizumab for treatment or prevention of bronchiolitis, or prevention of recurrent wheezing, although one study is underway (Protocol W00-353; Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA). Children who have received palivizumab will be compared with children who have had documented RSV bronchiolitis and control children. Approximately 100 children will be enrolled in each cohort. They will be followed for 3 years by means of monthly telephone calls and office visits at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Outcomes will consist of a respiratory questionnaire, incidence of wheezing, medications used, hospitalizations, and pharmacoeconomic evaluation. Results are expected in late 2003.

Conclusion

Studies have shown that ribavirin therapy appears to have no significant effect on reducing the long-term respiratory outcomes associated with RSV LRTI. Inhaled corticosteroid or bronchodilator therapy administered at the time of acute RSV infection may improve respiratory outcomes only in the short term. RSV-IGIV and palivizumab are effective agents for prevention of RSV LRTI in children with BPD and/or prematurity, but their long-term effect on the development of asthma and recurrent wheezing is not clear. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved and to evaluate the impact of available therapies on long-term respiratory outcomes of RSV LRTI.

Abbreviations

BPD:

bronchopulmonary dysplasia

IFN:

interferon

LRTI:

lower respiratory tract infection

RAD:

reactive airway disease

RSV:

respiratory syncytial virus

RSV-IGIV:

respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin intravenous (human)

References

  1. Glezen WP: Morbidity associated with the major respiratory viruses. Pediatr Ann 1990, 19:535–542.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Hall CB, McCarthy CA: Respiratory syncytial virus. In Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 5th ed, vol. 2. (Edited by: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R). Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone 2000, 1782–1801.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hall CB: Respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus. N Engl J Med 2001, 344:1917–1928.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Hall CB, McCarthy CA: Respiratory syncytial virus. In Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 4th ed. (Edited by: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R). New York: Churchill Livingstone 1995, 1501–1519.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bont L, van Aalderen WMC, Versteegh J, Brus F, Draaisma JTM, Pekelharing-Berghuis M, van Diemen-Steenvoorde RAAM, Kimpen JLL: Airflow limitation during respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection predicts recurrent wheezing. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2001, 20:277–282.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Stein RT, Sherrill D, Morgan WJ, Holberg CJ, Halonen M, Taussig LM, Wright AL, Martinez FD: Respiratory syncytial virus in early life and risk of wheeze and allergy by age 13 years. Lancet 1999, 354:541–545.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Sigurs N, Bjarnason R, Sigurbergsson F, Kjellman B: Respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in infancy is an important risk factor for asthma and allergy at age 7. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000, 161:1501–1507.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Katz SL, Beale J, Becker MH, Chin J: The prospects for immunizing against respiratory syncytial virus. In New Vaccine Development: Establishing Priorities. Volume 2: Diseases of Importance in Developing Countries. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1986, 299–308.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bont L, Heijnen CJ, Kavelaars A, van Aalderen WMC, Brus F, Draaisma JTM, Geelen SM, Kimpen JLL: Monocyte IL-10 production during respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis is associated with recurrent wheezing in a one-year follow-up study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000, 161:1518–1523.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Reijonen TM, Korppi M, Kuikka L, Savolainen K, Kleemola M, Mononen I, Remes K: Serum eosinophil cationic protein as a predictor of wheezing after bronchiolitis. Pediatr Pulmonol 1997, 23:397–403.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Collins PL, McIntosh K, Chanock RM: Respiratory syncytial virus. In Fields Virology, 3rd ed, vol. 1. (Edited by: Edited by Fields BN, Knipe DM, Howley PM). Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven 1996, 1313–1351.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Welliver RC: Immunologic mechanisms of virus-induced wheezing and asthma. J Pediatr 1999, 135:14–20.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Kneyber MCJ, Moll HA, de Groot R: Treatment and prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infection. Eur J Pediatr 2000, 159:399–411.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Springer C, Bar-Yishay E, Uwayyed K, Avital A, Vilozni D, Godfrey S: Corticosteroids do not affect the clinical or physiological status of infants with bronchiolitis. Pediatr Pulmonol 1990, 9:181–185.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Roosevelt G, Sheehan K, Grupp-Phelan J, Tanz RR, Listernick R: Dexamethasone in bronchiolitis; a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 1996, 348:292–295.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Klassen TP, Sutcliffe T, Watters LK, Wells GA, Allen UD, Li MM: Dexamethasone in salbutamol-treated inpatients with acute bronchiolitis: a randomized, controlled trial. J Pediatr 1997, 130:191–196.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. van Woensel JBM, Wolfs TFW, van Aalderen WMC, Brand PLP, Kimpen JLL: Randomised double blind placebo controlled trial of prednisolone in children admitted to hospital with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis. Thorax 1997, 52:634–637.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Wang EEL, Milner R, Allen U, Maj H: Bronchodilators for treatment of mild bronchiolitis: a factorial randomised trial. Arch Dis Child 1992, 67:289–293.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Henry RL, Milner AD, Stokes GM: Ineffectiveness of ipratropium bromide in acute bronchiolitis. Arch Dis Child 1983, 58:925–926.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Schuh S, Johnson D, Canny G, Reisman J, Shields M, Kovesi T, Kerem E, Bentur L, Levison H, Jaffe D: Efficacy of adding nebulized ipratropium bromide to nebulized albuterol therapy in acute bronchiolitis. Pediatrics 1992, 90:920–923.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Seidenberg J, Masters IB, Hudson I, Olinsky A, Phelan PD: Effect of ipratropium bromide on respiratory mechanics in infants with acute bronchiolitis. Aust Pediatr J 1987, 23:169–172.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Flores G, Horwitz RI: Efficacy of β 2 -agonists in bronchiolitis: a reappraisal and meta-analysis. Pediatrics 1997, 100:233–239.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Pinnock CB, Douglas RM, Martin AJ, Badcock NR: Vitamin A status of children with a history of respiratory syncytial virus infection in infancy. Aust Pediatr J 1988, 24:286–289.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Higgins PG, Barrow GI, Tyrrell DAJ, Isaacs D, Gauci CL: The efficacy of intranasal interferonα-2a in respiratory syncytial virus infection in volunteers. Antiviral Res 1990, 14:3–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Hall CB, Powell KR, Schnabel KC, Gala CL, Pincus PH: Risk of secondary bacterial infection in infants hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus infection. J Pediatr 1988, 113:266–271.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Rodriguez WJ, Gruber WC, Groothuis JR, Simoes EAF, Rosas AJ, Lepow M, Kramer A, Hemming V, and the RSV-IGIV Study Group: Respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin treatment of RSV lower respiratory tract infection in previously healthy children. Pediatrics 1997, 100:937–942.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Rodriguez WJ, Gruber WC, Welliver RC, Groothuis JR, Simoes EAF, Meissner HC, Hemming VG, Hall CB, Lepow ML, Rosas AJ, Robertsen C, Kramer AA, for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immune Globulin Study Group: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immune globulin intravenous therapy for RSV lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children at high risk for severe RSV infections. Pediatrics 1997, 99:454–461.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kim HW, Canchola JG, Brandt CD, Pyles G, Chanock RM, Jensen K, Parrott RH: Respiratory syncytial virus disease in infants despite prior administration of antigenic inactivated vaccine. Am J Epidemiol 1969, 89:422–434.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Kapikian AZ, Mitchell RH, Chanock RM, Shvedoff RA, Stewart CE: An epidemiologic study of altered clinical reactivity to respiratory syncytial (RS) virus infection in children previously vaccinated with an inactivated RS virus vaccine. Am J Epidemiol 1969, 89:405–421.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Fulginiti VA, Eller JJ, Sieber OF, Joyner JW, Minamitani M, Meiklejohn G: Respiratory virus immunization. Am J Epidemiol 1969, 89:435–448.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Welliver RC, Tristram DA, Batt K, Sun M, Hogerman D, Hildreth S: Respiratory syncytial virus-specific cell-mediated immune responses after vaccination with a purified fusion protein subunit vaccine. J Infect Dis 1994, 170:425–428.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Piedra PA, Grace S, Jewell A, Spinelli S, Bunting D, Hogerman DA, Malinoski F, Hiatt PW: Purified fusion protein vaccine protects against lower respiratory tract illness during respiratory syncytial virus season in children with cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1996, 15:23–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Groothuis JR, Simoes E, Levin MJ, Hall CB, Long CE, Rodriguez WJ, Arrobio J, Meissner HC, Fulton DR, Welliver RC, Tristram DA, Siber GR, Prince GA, Van Raden M, Hemming VG, for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immune Globulin Study Group: Prophylactic administration of respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin to high-risk infants and young children. N Engl J Med 1993, 329:1524–1530.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Groothuis JR, Simoes EAF, Hemming VG, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immune Globulin Study Group: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in preterm infants and the protective effects of RSV immune globulin (RSVIG). Pediatrics 1995, 95:463–467.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. PREVENT Study Group: Reduction of respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization among premature infants and infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia using respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin prophylaxis. Pediatrics 1997, 99:93–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. The IMpact-RSV Study Group: Palivizumab, a humanized respiratory syncytial virus monoclonal antibody, reduces hospitalization from respiratory syncytial virus infection in high-risk infants. Pediatrics 1998, 102:531–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Simoes EAF: Treatment and prevention of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001, 163:S14-S17.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Krilov LR, Mandel FS, Barone SR, Fagin JC, and the Bronchiolitis Study Group: Follow-up of children with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in 1986 and 1987: potential effect of ribavirin on long term pulmonary function. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1997, 16:273–276.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Long CE, Voter KZ, Barker WH, Hall CB: Long term follow-up of children hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection and randomly treated with ribavirin or placebo. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1997, 16:1023–1028.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Rodriguez WJ, Arrobio J, Fink R, Kim HW, Milburn C: Prospective follow-up and pulmonary functions from a placebo-controlled randomized trial of ribavirin therapy in respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis. Ribavirin Study Group. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1999, 153:469–474.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Edell D, Bruce E, Hale K, Edell D, Khoshoo V: Reduced long-term respiratory morbidity after treatment of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis with ribavirin in previously healthy infants: a preliminary report. Pediatr Pulmonol 1998, 25:154–158.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Kimpen JLL: Management of respiratory syncytial virus infection. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2001, 14:323–328.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Hesselmar B, Adolfsson S: Inhalation of corticosteroids after hospital care for respiratory syncytial virus infection diminishes development of asthma in infants. Acta Paediatr 2001, 90:260–263.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Kajosaari M, Syvanen P, Forars M, Juntunen-Backman K: Inhaled corticosteroids during and after respiratory syncytial virus-bronchiolitis may decrease subsequent asthma. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2000, 11:198–202.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Reijonen T, Korppi M, Kuikka L, Remes K: Anti-inflammatory therapy reduces wheezing after bronchiolitis. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1996, 150:512–517.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Huang J-L, Hung I-J, Hsieh K-H: Effect of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate in the treatment of recurrent wheezing in infancy and early childhood. J Formos Med Assoc 1993, 92:1066–1069.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Cade A, Brownlee KG, Conway SP, Haigh D, Short A, Brown J, Dassu D, Mason SA, Phillips A, Eglin R, Graham M, Chetcuti A, Chatrath M, Hudson N, Thomas A, Chetcuti PAJ: Randomised placebo controlled trial of nebulised corticosteroids in acute respiratory syncytial viral bronchiolitis. Arch Dis Child 2000, 82:126–130.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. Reijonen TM, Kotaniemi-Syrjanen A, Korhonen K, Korppi M: Predictors of asthma three years after hospital admission for wheezing in infancy. Pediatrics 2000, 106:1406–1412.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. van Woensel JBM, Kimpen JLL, Sprikkelman AB, Ouwehand A, van Aalderen WMC: Long-term effects of prednisolone in the acute phase of bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus. Pediatr Pulmonol 2000, 30:92–96.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Fox GF, Everard ML, Marsh MJ, Milner AD: Randomised controlled trial of budesonide for the prevention of post-bronchiolitis wheezing. Arch Dis Child 1999, 80:343–347.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  51. Berger I, Argaman Z, Schwartz SB, Segal E, Kiderman A, Branski D, Kerem E: Efficacy of corticosteroids in acute bronchiolitis: short-term and long-term follow-up. Pediatr Pulmonol 1998, 26:162–166.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Richter H, Seddon P: Early nebulized budesonide in the treatment of bronchiolitis and the prevention of postbronchiolitic wheezing. J Pediatr 1998, 132:849–853.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. van Woensel J, Kimpen J: Therapy for respiratory tract infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus. Eur J Pediatr 2000, 159:391–398.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Wenzel SE, Gibbs RL, Lehr MV, Simoes EAF: Respiratory outcomes in high-risk children 7 to 10 years after prophylaxis with respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin. Am J Med 2002, 112:627–633.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jan LL Kimpen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kimpen, J.L. Prevention and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis and postbronchiolitic wheezing. Respir Res 3 (Suppl 1), 2 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1186/rr183

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/rr183