Recent progress in antiviral chemotherapy for respiratory syncytial virus infections

Abstract

The recent progress in antiviral chemotherapy against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections was reviewed. RSV infections among high risk individuals, such as premature babies, infants with congenital disease of cardiopulmonary system or immune system and the aged, hospitalised patients with immunosuppressed status are threatened, with high mortality rates and thus need anti-viral chemotherapy. Clinical efficacy of ribavirin and humanised monoclonal antibody (mAb) against RSV infections as well as experimental reports of novel anti-RSV compounds under investigation such as membrane fusion inhibitors were introduced.

• acute respiratory infections
• antiviral chemotherapy
• monoclonal antibody
• respiratory syncytial virus
• ribavirin