Respiratory syncytial virus

Respiratory syncytial virus is a topic covered in the Johns Hopkins ABX Guide.

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MICROBIOLOGY

  • Negative-sense, single-strand, enveloped RNA virus.
  • The scientific name is human orthopneumovirus.
    • A synonym is human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), sometimes shortened to just RSV.
    • Member of Pneumoviridae family and Orthopneumovirus genus.
  • RSV fusion protein facilitates fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane. This protein is a potential target for vaccines and anti-viral agents.
  • In this section, we will refer to the virus that infects humans as RSV (although human orthopneumovirus is the international committee on taxonomy of viruses preferred term).
  • Transmission:
    • There are no animal reservoirs for this virus
    • Spread via nasal or oral secretions, either directly via large droplets (and probably aerosolized particles) or indirectly through contact with contaminated hands and environmental surfaces (e.g. cribs, toys, doorknobs, tabletops).

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MICROBIOLOGY

  • Negative-sense, single-strand, enveloped RNA virus.
  • The scientific name is human orthopneumovirus.
    • A synonym is human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), sometimes shortened to just RSV.
    • Member of Pneumoviridae family and Orthopneumovirus genus.
  • RSV fusion protein facilitates fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane. This protein is a potential target for vaccines and anti-viral agents.
  • In this section, we will refer to the virus that infects humans as RSV (although human orthopneumovirus is the international committee on taxonomy of viruses preferred term).
  • Transmission:
    • There are no animal reservoirs for this virus
    • Spread via nasal or oral secretions, either directly via large droplets (and probably aerosolized particles) or indirectly through contact with contaminated hands and environmental surfaces (e.g. cribs, toys, doorknobs, tabletops).

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