scholarly journals The spatial-temporal dynamics of respiratory syncytial virus infections across the east-west coasts of Australia during 2016-17

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Robertson ◽  
John-Sebastian Eden ◽  
Avram Levy ◽  
Ian Carter ◽  
Rachel L Tulloch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Respiratory Pathogen ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Eastern State ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Genome Study ◽  
Genomic Studies ◽  
Syncytial Virus

AbstractRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important human respiratory pathogen. In temperate regions a distinct seasonality is observed, where peaks of infections typically occur in early winter, often preceding the annual influenza season. Infections are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, and in some populations exceeds that of influenza. Two subtypes, RSV-A and RSV-B, have been described, and molecular epidemiological studies have shown that both viruses mostly co-circulate. This trend also appears to be the case for Australia, however previous genomic studies have been limited to cases from one Eastern state - New South Wales. As such, the broader spatial patterns and viral traffic networks across the continent are not known. Here, we conducted a whole genome study of RSV comparing strains across eastern and western Australia during the period January 2016 to June 2017. In total, 96 new RSV genomes were sequenced, compiled with previously generated data, and examined using a phylodynamic approach. This analysis revealed that both RSV-A and RSV-B strains were circulating, and each subtype was dominated by a single genotype, RSV-A/ON1-like and RSV-B/BA10-like viruses. Some geographical clustering was evident in strains from both states with multiple distinct sub-lineages observed and relatively low mixing across jurisdictions suggesting that endemic transmission was likely seeded from imported, unsampled locations. Overall, the RSV phylogenies reflected a complex pattern of interactions across multiple epidemiological scales from fluid virus traffic across global and regional networks to fine-scale local transmission events.

scholarly journals Infantile respiratory syncytial virus and human rhinovirus infections: respective role in inception and persistence of wheezing

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 774-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni A. Rossi ◽  
Andrew A. Colin
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Airway Disease ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Human Rhinovirus ◽  
Allergic Sensitisation ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Rsv Infection ◽  
History Of ◽  
Syncytial Virus

There is evidence that respiratory viruses play a key role in the development and exacerbation of obstructive respiratory diseases in children. This review attempts to juxtapose the separate profiles and prototypes of pathogenenetic mechanisms represented by the two most common amongst such viruses: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human rhinovirus (HRV).RSV represents the most common agent of severe airway disease in infants and young children, and is predominant in winter months. Large epidemiological studies have revealed an unequivocal relationship between RSV infection and subsequent wheezing into childhood, thought to be related to long-term changes in neuroimmune control of the airways rather than allergic sensitisation.HRV is a highly diverse group of viruses that affect subjects of all ages, is ubiquitous and occurs year-round. In contrast to RSV, infections with HRV cause minimal cytotoxicity but induce a rapid production of cytokines and chemokines with amplification of the inflammatory response. The susceptibility to HRV-induced bronchiolitis and subsequent wheezing appears to be linked to individual predisposition since it is often associated with a family or personal history of asthma/atopy.Thus, RSV probably serves as an “inducer” rather than a “trigger”. Conversely, HRVs seem to serve as a “trigger” rather than an “inducer” in predisposed individuals.

scholarly journals A morphological transformation in respiratory syncytial virus leads to enhanced complement deposition

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica P Kuppan ◽  
Margaret D Mitrovich ◽  
Michael D Vahey
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Complement Activation ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Respiratory Pathogen ◽  
Classical Pathway ◽  
Morphological Transformation ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
The Complement System ◽  
Complement Deposition

The complement system is a critical host defense against infection, playing a protective role that can also enhance disease if dysregulated. Although many consequences of complement activation during viral infection are well established, mechanisms that determine the extent to which viruses activate complement remain elusive. Here, we investigate complement activation by human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a filamentous respiratory pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality. By engineering a strain of RSV harboring tags on the surface glycoproteins F and G, we are able to monitor opsonization of single RSV particles using fluorescence microscopy. These experiments reveal an antigenic hierarchy, where antibodies that bind toward the apex of F in either the pre- or postfusion conformation activate the classical pathway whereas other antibodies do not. Additionally, we identify an important role for virus morphology in complement activation: as viral filaments age, they undergo a morphological transformation which lowers the threshold for complement deposition through changes in surface curvature. Collectively, these results identify antigenic and biophysical characteristics of virus particles that contribute to the formation of viral immune complexes, and suggest models for how these factors may shape disease severity and adaptive immune responses to RSV.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document