Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in adults: Current trends and recommendations for prevention – a global challenge from a local perspective
Mine Durusu Tanrıöver, Alpay Azap, Ebru Çakır Edis, Hasan Selcuk Ozger, Hüsnü Pullukçu, Meli̇ha Çağla Sönmezer, Oldac Uras Dursun, Şeyhmus Merter, Abdullah Sayıner
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) and a major health threat especially for children and older adults. Epidemiological data reveal that RSV-associated global mortality rates in individuals aged ≥ 70 years exceeded those in children aged < 5 years in 2019. Although effective interventions have decreased RSV-related deaths in children aged < 5 years over time, RSV appears increasingly significant issue for the elderly and adults with underlying health conditions. Furthermore, there is currently no specific treatment for RSV infections in adults, highlighting the importance of prevention. Recently, three vaccines (RSVPreF3, RSVpreF, and mRNA-1345) have been approved for adults to date. In this article, we aimed to review the characteristics of RSV infections in adults and the evidence on the safety and efficacy of RSV vaccines, with a glimpse of the current situation in Türkiye- one of the low- and middle- income countries (LMICs).