Respiratory syncytial virus infection is associated with an altered innate immunity and a heightened pro-inflammatory response in the lungs of preterm lambs

摘要: Introduction Factors explaining the greater susceptibility of preterm infants to severe lower respiratory infections with syncytial virus (RSV) remain poorly understood. Fetal/newborn lambs are increasingly appreciated as a model study key elements RSV infection in newborn due similarities lung alveolar development, immune response, and RSV. Previously, our laboratory demonstrated that had elevated viral antigen developed more lesions compared full-term at seven days post-infection. Here, we pathogenesis immunological response lungs lambs.