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JAMA Network Open Jun 2024Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) transmission was disrupted worldwide following the COVID-19 pandemic, and further study is required to better understand these changes.
IMPORTANCE
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) transmission was disrupted worldwide following the COVID-19 pandemic, and further study is required to better understand these changes.
OBJECTIVE
To compare observed and expected RSV hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates and characteristics of admitted children during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
A population-based cohort study of all children aged younger than 5 years in Ontario, Canada, July 1, 2017, through March 31, 2023, was conducted.
EXPOSURES
Individual and neighborhood-level sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were identified from administrative data, including age, palivizumab eligibility, complex medical conditions, rurality, and living in a marginalized neighborhood.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The main outcome was RSV-associated hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included ICU admissions, mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and in-hospital death. Poisson generalized estimating equations were used to model weekly age- and sex-specific hospitalization rates and estimate expected rates in the postpandemic era; adjusted rate ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs are reported.
RESULTS
This cohort study included approximately 700 000 children per study year. Compared with prepandemic years (2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020), the 2021-2022 RSV season peaked slightly earlier, but overall admission rates were comparable (289.1 vs 281.4-334.6 per 100 000, or approximately 2000 admissions). The 2022-2023 season peaked a month earlier and resulted in more than twice as many hospitalizations (770.0 per 100 000; n = 4977 admissions). The proportion of children admitted to an ICU in 2022-2023 (13.9%) was slightly higher than prepandemic (9.6%-11.4%); however, the population-based rate was triple the prepandemic levels (106.9 vs 27.6-36.6 per 100 000 children in Ontario). With the exception of palivizumab-eligible children, all sociodemographic and health status characteristics were associated with lower-than-expected RSV hospitalization rates in 2021-2022. In contrast, older age of patients was associated with higher-than-expected rates in 2022-2023 (ie, 24-59 months: RR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.35-2.66).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
There were notable differences in RSV epidemiologic characteristics in Ontario following the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not yet clear whether and how long atypical RSV epidemics may persist. Clinicians and program planners should consider the potential for ongoing impacts to health care capacity and RSV immunization programs.
Topics: Humans; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Hospitalization; Infant; Male; Female; Child, Preschool; Ontario; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Intensive Care Units; Cohort Studies; Infant, Newborn; Respiration, Artificial; Pandemics; Palivizumab
PubMed: 38861259
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.16077 -
Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety 2023Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major global cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody that provides passive immunity against... (Review)
Review
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major global cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody that provides passive immunity against RSV, is currently licensed for prophylactic use in specific "high-risk" populations, including congenital heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and prematurity. Available research suggests palivizumab use in these high-risk populations can lead to a reduction in RSV-related hospitalization. However, palivizumab has not been demonstrated to reduce mortality, adverse events or length of hospital stay related to RSV. In this article, we review the management of RSV, indications for palivizumab prophylaxis, the safety, cost-effectiveness and efficacy of this preventative medication, and emerging therapeutics that could revolutionize future prevention of this significant pathogen.
PubMed: 37720805
DOI: 10.2147/DHPS.S348727 -
La Revue Du Praticien Oct 2023RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS VACCINES. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for lower respiratory infections, particularly in children under five years of age...
RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS VACCINES. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for lower respiratory infections, particularly in children under five years of age (acute infant bronchiolitis) and the elderly over 60. Monoclonal antibodies (palivizumab and nirsevimab) are used to prevent bronchiolitis. Four types of vaccine are currently under development: subunit vaccines composed of recombinant proteins or viral pseudoparticles, messenger RNA vaccines, recombinant vector vaccines and live attenuated vaccines. They are indicated for pregnant women to protect infants against bronchiolitis in the first months of life, and for people over 60 or with comorbidities.
Topics: Pregnancy; Child; Aged; Infant; Humans; Female; Child, Preschool; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Respiratory Tract Infections; Bronchiolitis
PubMed: 38354016
DOI: No ID Found -
The Lancet Regional Health. Western... Oct 2023Pediatric patients with certain rare diseases are at increased risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. However, the prophylactic use of anti-RSV...
Safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of palivizumab in off-label neonates, infants, and young children at risk for serious respiratory syncytial virus infection: a multicenter phase II clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Pediatric patients with certain rare diseases are at increased risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. However, the prophylactic use of anti-RSV antibody (palivizumab) in these patients is not indicated at present in Japan.
METHODS
This first-in-the-world multicenter, uncontrolled, open-label, phase II clinical trial was carried out between 28 July 2019 and 24 September 2021 at seven medical institutions in Japan to investigate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of palivizumab in 23 subjects recruited from among neonates, infants, or children aged 24 months or younger who had any of the following conditions: pulmonary hypoplasia, airway stenosis, congenital esophageal atresia, inherited metabolic disease, or neuromuscular disease. At least four continuous doses of palivizumab were administered intramuscularly at 15 mg/kg at intervals of 30 days.
FINDINGS
Twenty-three enrolled subjects completed the study. No subject required hospitalization for RSV. Adverse events (AE) did not notably differ from the event terms described in the latest interview form. Five severe AEs required unplanned hospitalization, but resolved without RSV infection. Therapeutically effective concentrations of palivizumab were maintained throughout the study period.
INTERPRETATION
Palivizumab might be well tolerated and effective in preventing serious respiratory symptoms and hospitalization due to severe RSV infection, indicating the prophylactic use in the pediatric patients included in this study.
FUNDING
Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), grant numbers 19lk0201097h0001 (to MM), 20lk0201097h0002 (to MM), 21lk0201097h0003 (to MM), and 22lk0201097h0004 (to MM). AMED did not have any role in the execution of this study, analysis and interpretation of the data, or the decision to submit the results.
PubMed: 37554997
DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100847 -
Cureus Dec 2023This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of palivizumab as a prophylaxis for respiratory... (Review)
Review
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of palivizumab as a prophylaxis for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease. We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, and Science Direct from inception till November 2023. Studies that assessed the efficacy and safety of palivizumab in infants aged between 28 days and three months of age were included. We analyzed the data using Review Manager 5.4 software, with results pooled across studies and expressed as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 10 studies were included. The effect estimates favored palivizumab over placebo regarding the hospitalization for RSV infection (RR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.65; P<0.00001) and ICU admission (RR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.81; P=0.005). On the other hand, the effect estimate showed no significant difference between palivizumab and placebo regarding all-cause mortality (RR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.42 to 1.15; P=0.16), lower respiratory tract infection (RR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.11 to 1.69; P=0.22), and need for mechanical ventilation (RR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.67; P=0.48). Palivizumab can be considered a prophylaxis for RSV disease in young children as it is safe, well-tolerated, and effective in reducing RSV hospitalizations. However, further research through high-quality randomized controlled trials is required to determine its efficacy as a therapeutic agent for established RSV infections.
PubMed: 38292946
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51375 -
Pediatric Pulmonology May 2024The aim was to gather an overview of the evidence of monoclonal antibody therapies in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis in children. For this umbrella review... (Review)
Review
The aim was to gather an overview of the evidence of monoclonal antibody therapies in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis in children. For this umbrella review of previous meta-analyses, we searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases in August 2023. We included systematic reviews with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. One author extracted the data, and another author validated the data. We extracted all analyses focusing on clinical outcomes and comparing prophylaxis to placebo. Risk of bias in systematic reviews (ROBIS) tool was used to analyze the risk of bias in the included reviews. AMSTAR-2 was used to evaluate the quality of the included reviews. After screening of 323 abstracts and 22 full reports, a total of seven systematic reviews with meta-analyses were included. The risk of bias was rated to be low in four and high in three of these. Three reviews were of moderate quality, one low, and three very low quality according to AMSTAR-2 classification. Six of the meta-analyses were direct comparisons, and one was a network meta-analysis. Five of the reviews focused on palivizumab, one in nirsevimab, and one included all monoclonal antibodies. Six reviews focused on preterm neonates and consisted of 42 comparisons to placebo of which 21 showed efficacy, and 21 had no evidence of a difference. The positive effect was seen in all reviews against RSV infection and RSV hospitalization in palivizumab and nirsevimab groups compared to placebo. None of the mortality comparisons showed efficacy. One meta-analysis focused on cystic fibrosis patients and had eight comparisons, but it was underpowered to detect any results. The overall evidence from previous meta-analyses shows that monoclonal antibodies are effective in preventing RSV infections and RSV hospitalizations in preterm infants. However, no effect on mortality was seen in these studies. Evidence certainty has been ranked mainly from low to moderate.
PubMed: 38751021
DOI: 10.1002/ppul.27041 -
Research Square Dec 2023Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infection, with greatest impact on infants, immunocompromised individuals, and older...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infection, with greatest impact on infants, immunocompromised individuals, and older adults. RSV prevalence decreased substantially following the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic but later rebounded with initially abnormal seasonality. The biological and epidemiological factors underlying this altered behavior remain poorly defined. In this retrospective cohort study, we examined RSV epidemiology, clinical severity, and genetic diversity in the years surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that changes in RSV diagnostic platforms drove increased detections in outpatient settings after 2020 and that hospitalized adults with RSV-A were at higher risk of needing intensive care than those with RSV-B. While the population structure of RSV-A remained unchanged, the population structure of RSV-B shifted in geographically distinct clusters. Mutations in the antigenic regions of the fusion protein suggest convergent evolution with potential implications for vaccine and therapeutic development.
PubMed: 38168164
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3712859/v1 -
Antiviral Research Feb 2024The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is the leading etiologic agent causing respiratory infections in infants, children, older adults, and patients with... (Review)
Review
The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is the leading etiologic agent causing respiratory infections in infants, children, older adults, and patients with comorbidities. Sixty-seven years have passed since the discovery of hRSV, and only a few successful mitigation or treatment tools have been developed against this virus. One of these is immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies against structural proteins of the virus, such as Palivizumab, the first prophylactic approach approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the USA. In this article, we discuss different strategies for the prevention and treatment of hRSV infection, focusing on the molecular mechanisms against each target that underly the rational design of antibodies against hRSV. At the same time, we describe the latest results regarding currently approved therapies against hRSV and the challenges associated with developing new candidates.
Topics: Infant; Child; Humans; Aged; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Antiviral Agents; Palivizumab; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Antibodies, Monoclonal
PubMed: 38145755
DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105783 -
Pediatrics and Neonatology Mar 2024Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations have increased since the 2014 guideline update recommended against the use of palivizumab for preterm infants born...
BACKGROUND
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations have increased since the 2014 guideline update recommended against the use of palivizumab for preterm infants born ≥29 0/7 weeks' gestational age (GA) without additional risk factors. A novel drug candidate, nirsevimab, has been developed for this population. We analyzed the cost-effectiveness of palivizumab/nirsevimab vs. no prophylaxis in this population.
METHODS
A hybrid-Markov model predicted the RSV clinical course in the first year of life and sequelae in the subsequent four years for preterm infants from the healthcare and societal perspectives. Model parameters were derived from the literature. We calculated costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) to produce an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) evaluated at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000/QALY. Sensitivity analyses assessed model robustness. A threshold analysis examined nirsevimab pricing uncertainty.
RESULTS
Compared to no prophylaxis, palivizumab costs $9572 and $9584 more from the healthcare and societal perspectives, respectively, with 0.0019 QALYs gained per patient over five years, resulting in ICERs >$5 million per QALY from each perspective. Results were robust to parameter uncertainties; probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed that no prophylaxis had a 100% probability of being cost-effective. The threshold analysis suggested that nirsevimab is not cost-effective when compared to no prophylaxis if the price exceeds $1962 from a societal perspective.
CONCLUSION
Palivizumab is dominated by no prophylaxis for preterm infants 29 0/7-34 6/7 weeks' GA with no additional risk factors. Relevant stakeholders should consider alternatives to palivizumab for this population that are both effective and economical.
Topics: Infant; Infant, Newborn; Humans; United States; Pregnancy; Female; Palivizumab; Infant, Premature; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Gestational Age; Antiviral Agents; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; Hospitalization; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
PubMed: 37758594
DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2023.04.015 -
Neonatal Network : NN Apr 2024Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization in infancy in the United States. Nearly all infants are infected by 2 years of age, with...
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization in infancy in the United States. Nearly all infants are infected by 2 years of age, with bronchiolitis requiring hospitalization often occurring in previously healthy children and long-term consequences of severe disease including delayed speech development and asthma. Incomplete passage of maternal immunity and a high degree of genetic variability within the virus contribute to morbidity and have also prevented successful neonatal vaccine development. Monoclonal antibodies reduce the risk of hospitalization from severe RSV disease, with palivizumab protecting high-risk newborns with comorbidities including chronic lung disease and congenital heart disease. Unfortunately, palivizumab is costly and requires monthly administration of up to five doses during the RSV season for optimal protection.Rapid advances in the past two decades have facilitated the identification of antibodies with broad neutralizing activity and allowed manipulation of their genetic code to extend half-life. These advances have culminated with nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the Ø antigenic site on the RSV prefusion protein and protecting infants from severe disease for an entire 5-month season with a single dose. Four landmark randomized controlled trials, the first published in July 2020, have documented the efficacy and safety of nirsevimab in healthy late-preterm and term infants, healthy preterm infants, and high-risk preterm infants and those with congenital heart disease. Nirsevimab reduces the risk of RSV disease requiring medical attention (number needed to treat [NNT] 14-24) and hospitalization (NNT 33-63) with rare mild rash and injection site reactions. Consequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently recommended nirsevimab for all infants younger than 8 months of age entering or born during the RSV season and high-risk infants 8-19 months of age entering their second season. Implementing this novel therapy in this large population will require close multidisciplinary collaboration. Equitable distribution through minimizing barriers and maximizing uptake must be prioritized.
Topics: Humans; Infant, Newborn; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antiviral Agents; Heart Defects, Congenital; Infant, Premature; Palivizumab; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; United States; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38599778
DOI: 10.1891/NN-2023-0056