Respiratory syncytial virus M2-1 protein induces the activation of nuclear factor kappa B.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) induces the production of a number of cytokines and chemokines by activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB). The activation of NF-kappaB has been shown to depend on viral replication in the infected cells. In this study, we demonstrate that expression of RSV M2-1 protein, a transcriptional processivity and anti-termination factor, is sufficient to activate NF-kappaB in A549 cells.

Respiratory syncytial virus deficient in soluble G protein induced an increased proinflammatory response in human lung epithelial cells.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is worldwide the single most important respiratory pathogen in infancy and early childhood. The G glycoprotein of RSV, named attachment protein, is produced by RSV-infected lung epithelial cells in both a membrane-anchored (mG protein) and a soluble form (sG protein) that is secreted by the epithelial cell. Currently, the biological role of the sG protein in primary RSV infection is still elusive.

Respiratory syncytial virus: G gene genotype and disease severity.

Background: In a hospital-based study by Martinello (2002), specific G gene genotypes of respiratory syncytial virus subgroup A virus were associated with an increased severity of illness.

Aim: We sought to confirm the association of G genotypes with disease severity in a population-based study.

Material And Methods: Ninety-one type A respiratory syncytial viruses (identified in the 1999/2000 season by polymerase chain reaction and cell culture), collected in a German multicenter study (PRI.

Prospective population-based study of viral lower respiratory tract infections in children under 3 years of age (the PRI.DE study).

Unlabelled: Population-based incidence data from Europe on the disease burden of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) due to respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), parainfluenza viruses (PIV) and influenzaviruses (IV) are lacking, especially with respect to the disease burden. In a 2-year prospective multicentre study of children aged <3 years in Germany, we registered population-based cases as outpatients (n=2386), inpatients (n=2924), and nosocomially-acquired (n=141). Nasopharyngeal secretions were tested for viral RNA.