Viral shedding and immune responses to respiratory syncytial virus infection in older adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Comprehensive analyses of host, viral, and immune factors associated with severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in adults have not been performed.

Methods

Adults with RSV infection identified in both outpatient and inpatient settings were evaluated. Upper and lower respiratory tract virus load, duration of virus shedding, select mucosal chemokine and cytokine levels, humoral and mucosal immunoglobulin responses, and systemic T-cell responses were measured.

Results

A total of 111 RSV-infected adults (61 outpatients and 50 hospitalized patients) were evaluated. Hospitalized subjects shed virus in nasal secretions at higher titers and for longer durations than less ill outpatients, had greater mucosal interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels throughout infecti

SUBMITTER: Walsh EE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3610422 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature