An altered natural killer cell immunophenotype characterizes clinically severe pediatric RSV infection.

ABSTRACT: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects nearly all children by 2 years of age and is a leading cause of pediatric hospitalizations. A subset of children with RSV infection (RSV⁺ children) develop respiratory failure requiring intensive care, but immune mechanisms distinguishing severe pediatric RSV infection are not fully elucidated. Natural killer (NK) cells are key innate immune effectors of viral host defense. In this study of 47 critically ill RSV⁺ children, we coupled NK cell immunophenotype and cytotoxic function with clinical parameters to identify an NK cell immune signature of severe pediatric RSV disease. Airway NK cells were increased in intubated RSV⁺ children with severe hypoxemia and prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation and were corr

SUBMITTER: Reilly RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12668293 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature