IMMUNOPROPHYLAXIS OF GROUP-B RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS-INFECTION INCOTTON RATS

Two antigenic groups of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have been id entified: A (RSV/A) and B (RSV/B). Topical administration of human IgG screened for high titers of antibody to RSV/A (RSVIg) is protective a gainst RSV/A infection in the cotton rat model, The study attempted to determine if topical RSVIg would also be protective against RSV/B, Co tton rats were pretreated intranasally with RSVIg or with monospecific antiserum obtained from animals previously infected with RSV/A or RSV /B (day 0), challenged intranasally with RSV/A or RSV/B (day 1), and s acrificed for virus titration (day 5). Cotton rat antiserum to RSV/B p rotected against RSV/A and RSV/B, while antiserum to RSV/A protected o nly against RSV/A, RSVIg, although prepared on the basis of activity a gainst RSV/A, was also protective against RSV/B.