Case example: RSV protection for infants

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an RNA virus of the family Pneumoviridae. RSV is globally distributed. Particularly among infants, it can cause severe infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract. The reason why RSV causes severe disease in some children but benign symptoms in others is not fully clear. In collaboration with physicians of the clinics for Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology of the MHH (Prof. Dr. med. Gesine Hansen), scientists of the Institute of Experimental Virology (Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Thomas Pietschmann) investigate genetic factors that determine the severity of RSV-infections. Ultimately, they aim to use this information for development of novel diagnostic and preventive measures.