Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Introduction, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis

Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Introduction, Pathogenicity, Lab Diagnosis, and Treatment

Universal Transport Medum for Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Introduction of Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that normally causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most of the sufferers recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, particularly for infants and older adults. Some features of this virus are-

belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae
Enveloped RNA virus
Pleomorphic with helical capsid symmetry
90-130 nm in size

Transmission and pathogenicity of RSV

Person to person transmission is mainly by droplet infection. It can also spread direct contact with the virus, like kissing the face of a child with RSV and touching a surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch. Disease-Server bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and small children. Othe clinical condition are upper respiratory tract infection and otitis media as a complication in young children.

Symptoms of RSV

The expression of symptoms only comes within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. The symptoms of this infection usually include-

Runny nose
Coughing
Decrease in appetite
Sneezing
Fever
Wheezing

Laboratory Diagnosis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Specimen: The following specimens are appropriate –

Throat swab
Nasal swab
Nasopharyngeal aspirate

Transport medium: Collect specimen into viral transport medium and frozen immediately at -70 °C.

Serological assays-

Direct demonstration of antigen
Direct immunofluorescence test
ELISA
Immunoperoxidase test

Nucleic acid and technology: PCR

Culture : Isolation of the virus from nasopharyngeal aspiration is difficult because it remains an infection only for short time.

Tissue culture: Hep-2 cell lines, HeLa cells

Cytopathic effect on the cell: Infected cells joined together thus called syncytia

Inclusion bodies may be present.

Treatment

Most infections go away on their own within 7-14 days and there is no specific treatment for infection. Vaccine: No effective vaccine available so far against this virus hough researchers are working to develop vaccines. It is beleived that breastfeeding provides some protection to infants.

Keynotes on RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the small airways in the lung.
Coughs and sneezes should be covered with a tissue or upper shirt sleeve, but not hands.

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