Premium
Molecular epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus
Author(s) -
Cane Patricia A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
reviews in medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.06
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1654
pISSN - 1052-9276
DOI - 10.1002/rmv.305
Subject(s) - virus , epidemiology , virology , molecular epidemiology , respiratory system , genotype , biology , respiratory tract infections , respiratory tract , disease , mononegavirales , paramyxoviridae , medicine , immunology , viral disease , genetics , gene , pathology , anatomy
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of lower respiratory tract disease in infants. It is unusual in that it causes repeated infections throughout life. Despite considerable efforts there is as yet no satisfactory vaccine available. This paper reviews the molecular epidemiology of the RSV and describes the complex genotypic structure of RSV epidemics. The evolution of the virus is discussed, with particular reference to the antigenic and genetic variability of the attachment glycoprotein. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.