Molecular epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus: a review of the use of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the analysis of genetic variability.

Abstract excerpt

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major viral cause of lower respiratory tract disease (bronchiolitis and pneumonia) in babies and infants. Infections with the virus occur as annual winter epidemics in temperate climates, placing considerable pressure on the provision of hospital beds. The virus is unusual in that it can reinfect individuals and it can infect babies despite the presence of maternal...

Topics

• Genetic Variation
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human