Current approaches to the development of vaccines against RSV

Background. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common viral agen t of severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants and children through out the world. Highest hospitalization rates are seen in the second and thi rd month of life. Young infants, especially those with predisposing conditi ons such as prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD),chronic lung dise ase (CLD), congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis or immunodeficiency, a re the pediatric patients at increased risk for severe RSV disease. Specifi c therapeutic options for RSV are limited. Prophylaxis. For prophylaxis against RSV disease, a RSV F-glycoprotein-spec ific monoclonal antibody (palivizumab) is licensed in Germany for selected high-risk infants. The goal of vaccination aga inst RSV is to prevent serio us virus-associated lower respiratory tract illness. Development of vaccine. The development of a successful RSV vaccine faces n umerous obstacles that are discussed in the article. Candidate vaccine stra tegies explored to date include live attenuated RSV, RSV proteins, live vir us vectors and DNA vaccines. We describe milestones in RSV vaccine developm ent and the current status of promising vaccine candidates.