Understanding RSV Epidemiological Changes Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic  

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains one of the most common respiratory viruses even after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, according to findings from a recent narrative review.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that affects individuals across different age groups. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of public health and social measures (PHSMs) resulted in a significant reduction in RSV activity. However, the relationship between RSV and SARS-CoV-2 is more complex than initially believed, researchers said.

As PHSMs were gradually lifted, several countries, including Israel, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, France, the United States, and Japan, experienced a seasonality shift and a delayed RSV outbreak with a higher number of infected patients. These outbreaks were characterized by a higher hospitalization rate, although the clinical symptoms appeared to be milder. Researchers emphasized the importance of preparing for the possibility of out-of-season RSV peaks in the post-COVID-19 era.

The clinical symptoms caused by RSV and SARS-CoV-2 may be challenging to differentiate, making it crucial to develop effective diagnostic tools, researchers said. Commercial multiplex PCR assays can assist physicians in reaching a diagnosis, enabling appropriate and potentially life-saving treatments, according to the review.

While RSV vaccinations are still under investigation, the administration of palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody, should be considered in high-risk patients to prevent severe clinical symptoms and fatalities. Additionally, research efforts are focused on developing reproducible human experimental models for RSV, which would facilitate further investigations on antiviral medications and vaccines.

The narrative review's methodology involved an extensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. The retrieved articles were evaluated for eligibility, and duplicates were removed. The limitations of the study include the ongoing nature of research on RSV during the COVID-19 era and the time constraints imposed on the study.

The implementation of PHSMs, such as hand washing, mask wearing, and social distancing, can effectively reduce RSV transmission, researchers said, adding that ongoing surveillance of RSV variations, along with the development of passive and active immunization strategies, is crucial in the post-COVID-19 era. Maintaining these measures and administering palivizumab to high-risk patients may help mitigate the impact of future RSV outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations, researchers concluded.

Reference:
Chuang YC, Lin KP, Wang LA, Yeh TK, Liu PY. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: A Narrative Review. Infect Drug Resist. 2023;16:661-675. Published 2023 Jan 30. doi:10.2147/IDR.S396434