Researchers pioneer treatment for viral infection common in children

Researchers have discovered a new way in which a very common childhood disease could be treated. In the first year of life, 65 per cent of babies get infected by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This causes bronchiolitis, and is thought to kill nearly 200,000 children every year worldwide. In 1966 and 1967, vaccines were tested for RSV. These had disastrous effects on the immune response, leading to a worsening of the disease and, in many cases, death. Scientists have so far not been able to fully explain this effect, which continues to hold back vaccine development. Studying this effect in mice, a research team developed a new technique which they hope might be used in tackling a wide range of other diseases including viral bronchiolitis.
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - Category: Science Source Type: news