Neonates are susceptible to respiratory viral infections, with outbreaks reported in areas with a high population of neonates, such as postpartum care centers and neonatal wards. While specific antiviral drugs are currently available for influenza, symptomatic supportive treatment remains the primary approach for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), making prevention particularly important. The article closely follows the "Expert recommendations for the prevention of common respiratory viral infections in neonates" and provides an in-depth interpretation of recent breakthroughs in RSV prevention. It discusses the physiological and immunological characteristics of neonates, the disease burden and transmission routes of RSV infection, the main clinical manifestations and long-term effects of RSV infection in neonates, as well as specific preventive measures against RSV and practical recommendations and prevention experiences for RSV from abroad to lay a foundation for RSV prevention and control in neonates in China.
Humans ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/transmission* ; Infant, Newborn ; Respiratory Tract Infections/prevention & control*

OBJECTIVES: To study the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in hospitalized children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Hebei Province. METHODS: Hospitalized children with CAP who tested positive for RSV and were admitted to Hebei Children's Hospital from various cities and counties across Hebei Province between January 2019 and December 2023 were included in the study. Clinical data were collected and analyzed to assess epidemiological characteristics. RESULTS: The clinical data of 43 978 children with CAP were collected, with an overall RSV detection rate of 25.98%. The detection rate was higher during the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) (30.60%) than in the non-NPIs period. Winter and spring were the primary epidemic seasons for RSV each year except in 2022. The detection rate in males (26.62%) was higher than in females (25.06%) (P<0.001). The highest detection rate (59.18%) was found in infants aged 29 days to <1 year. Single RSV infection was more common, with rhinovirus being the most frequent co-infection. CONCLUSIONS The overall RSV detection rate in Hebei Province is influenced by NPIs, being higher during their implementation. RSV predominantly circulates in winter and spring. The detection rate of RSV is higher in males and infants. RSV infection is primarily single, most often co-occurring with rhinovirus.
Humans ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Seasons ; China/epidemiology* ; Infant, Newborn ; Community-Acquired Infections/epidemiology* ; Child

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and the risk factors for severe pneumonia in hospitalized children. METHODS: The epidemiological characteristics of hMPV in hospitalized children at Hebei Children's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data of hospitalized children with hMPV infection from April to December 2023 were included, and independent risk factors for severe pneumonia were identified through logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 44 092 children were tested, with an hMPV positive rate of 7.30% (3 220/44 092). Children aged 3-6 years constituted the largest proportion (40.93%, 1 318/3 220) among hMPV-positive cases. The detection rate varied significantly by year (P<0.001), peaking in 2022 (12.35%, 978/7 919). The peak season of the epidemic was winter and spring from 2019 to 2021, but shifted to spring and summer from 2022 to 2023. The proportion of co-infection was 38.70% (1 246/3 220), primarily with rhinovirus (600/1 246, 48.15%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (217/1 246, 17.42%), and respiratory syncytial virus (182/1 246, 14.61%). The main manifestations of hMPV pneumonia were cough, expectoration, and fever. Children with severe pneumonia were significantly younger (P<0.05). Wheezing, underlying diseases, co-infection, and younger age were identified as independent risk factors for severe pneumonia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There are significant annual and seasonal differences in the epidemiological characteristics of hMPV in hospitalized children. Young age, underlying diseases, wheezing, and co-infection are independent risk factors for severe pneumonia.
Humans ; Risk Factors ; Metapneumovirus ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Paramyxoviridae Infections/complications* ; Pneumonia/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Child, Hospitalized ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Seasons ; Hospitalization

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main pathogens of acute lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children and shows a year-round transmission pattern in tropical and subtropical regions, posing a serious health threat, especially to infants under one year of age. Current treatment is mainly symptomatic and supportive, and antiviral drugs have limited efficacy. In recent years, with advances in monoclonal antibody development, the long-acting RSV monoclonal antibody nirsevimab has been introduced into clinical practice worldwide, including in China, and has become a core intervention for immunoprophylaxis in infants and young children. Recommendations are proposed in this consensus based on the latest domestic and international evidence and the epidemiological characteristics of tropical and subtropical regions in China. They cover: epidemiological features of RSV; disease burden and clinical manifestations of RSV infection; dosage and administration of RSV monoclonal antibodies; efficacy and safety of RSV monoclonal antibodies; year-round immunoprophylaxis strategies for infants and young children; immunoprophylaxis strategies for infants and young children with special health conditions; coadministration of RSV monoclonal antibodies with vaccines in the national immunization program; and management measures for immunoprophylaxis with long-acting RSV monoclonal antibodies. The aim is to provide scientific and standardized guidance for frontline clinical and public health practice to reduce the incidence, severity, and public health burden of RSV infection in infants and young children.
Humans ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/epidemiology* ; Infant ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/adverse effects* ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Consensus

Paramyxoviruses are important respiratory pathogens with substantial clinical relevance in pediatric infectious diseases. During infection, multiple forms of programmed cell death (PCD) may be induced, and this plays pivotal roles in viral replication, dissemination, and host immune responses, thereby profoundly influencing the viral life cycle and disease progression. On one hand, PCD facilitates the clearance of infected cells, restricts viral spread, and activates host immune defenses, thereby enhancing antiviral immunity. On the other hand, excessive or dysregulated cell death may lead to tissue damage and immune imbalance, creating a microenvironment conducive to viral replication and exacerbating disease severity. For instance, apoptosis-mediated by both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways-contributes to infection control but may also be hijacked by viruses to promote dissemination. Pyroptosis, driven by inflammasome activation, triggers lytic cell death and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Necroptosis, mediated by the RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL signaling axis, and pyroptosis both amplify innate immune responses but may concurrently induce inflammatory dysregulation. Immunogenic cell death (ICD), characterized by the release of damage-associated molecular patterns and neoantigens, activates antigen-specific immune responses and holds therapeutic potential for antiviral and antitumor interventions. Emerging evidence suggests that ferroptosis, through the modulation of iron metabolism and associated transporters, may also participate in viral replication and infected cell clearance. This review comprehensively summarizes the roles of apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ICD, and ferroptosis in paramyxovirus infection, aiming to deepen the understanding of paramyxovirus pathogenesis and to provide insights for developing novel antiviral strategies.
Humans ; Paramyxoviridae Infections/pathology* ; Pyroptosis ; Apoptosis ; Virus Replication ; Necroptosis ; Inflammasomes ; Immunity, Innate ; Immunogenic Cell Death ; Paramyxoviridae/physiology* ; Signal Transduction

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an enveloped, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus of the Orthopneumovirus  genus of the Pneumoviridae family in the order Mononegavirales. RSV can cause acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections, sometimes with extrapulmonary complications. The disease burden of RSV infection is enormous, mainly affecting infants and older adults aged 75 years or above. Currently, treatment options for RSV are largely supportive. Prevention strategies remain a critical focus, with efforts centered on vaccine development and the use of prophylactic monoclonal antibodies. To date, three RSV vaccines have been approved for active immunization among individuals aged 60 years and above. For children who are not eligible for these vaccines, passive immunization is recommended. A newly approved prophylactic monoclonal antibody, Nirsevimab, which offers enhanced neutralizing activity and an extended half-life, provides exceptional protection for high-risk infants and young children. This review provides a comprehensive and detailed exploration of RSV's virology, immunology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, treatment options, and prevention strategies.
Humans ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/prevention & control* ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/pathogenicity* ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/pathogenicity* ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use*

Humans ; Bronchiolitis/diagnosis* ; Infant ; China ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/diagnosis*

OBJECTIVES: To explore the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children in Nanchang and its correlation with climate environmental factors. METHODS: The clinical data were collected from children with acute respiratory infection in Nanchang who were tested for RSV at Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2023, along with climate environmental data for the same period. The epidemiological characteristics of RSV and their correlation with climate environmental factors were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 178 127 children underwent RSV testing from January 2019 to December 2023, with a positive detection rate of 8.35% (14 873/178 127). The positive detection rate in males was 8.92% (10 137/113 660), which was higher than that in females (7.35%, 4 736/64 467). The differences in RSV positive detection rates among different age groups were statistically significant (P<0.001), with the highest rate observed in the 0 to <3 months age group (14.38%, 3 328/23 142). Peaks in RSV positive detection occurred during winter and spring periods in 2019, 2020, and 2022, while in 2023, it occurred in spring and summer periods, with no seasonality noted in 2021. The RSV positive detection rate showed a positive correlation with average humidity, average atmospheric pressure, monthly PM_2.5, and monthly carbon monoxide levels (P<0.05), while it showed a negative correlation with average wind speed, average temperature, and maximum 8-hour ozone levels (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS In Nanchang, the RSV positive detection rate in children with acute respiratory infection is higher in males than in females. Among children of all age groups, the infants aged 0 to <3 months have the highest detection rate of RSV. RSV infection predominantly occurs in winter and spring periods. Lower temperatures, lower wind speeds, higher humidity, and elevated levels of PM_2.5 and carbon monoxide may increase the risk of RSV infection in children.
Humans ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Seasons ; Infant, Newborn ; Climate ; China/epidemiology* ; Child ; Humidity ; Temperature ; Particulate Matter/analysis*

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic paramyxovirus that has recently emerged as a crucial public health issue. It can elicit severe encephalitis and respiratory diseases in animals and humans, leading to fatal outcomes, exhibiting a wide range of host species tropism, and directly transmitting from animals to humans or through an intermediate host. Human-to-human transmission associated with recurrent NiV outbreaks is a potential global health threat. Currently, the lack of effective therapeutics or licensed vaccines for NiV necessitates the primary utilization of supportive care. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the various aspects of the NiV, including therapeutics, vaccines, and its biological characteristics, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical features. The objective is to provide valuable information from scientific and clinical research and facilitate the formulation of strategies for preventing and controlling the NiV.
Animals ; Humans ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; Henipavirus Infections/virology* ; Nipah Virus/pathogenicity* ; Viral Vaccines ; Zoonoses/virology*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) between 2014 and 2021 and identify potential strategies and measures for the prevention and control of MMR in China. METHODS: Data on MMR was obtained from China's National Notifiable Disease Reporting System for the period from 2014 to 2021. Spatiotemporal distributions were analyzed using SaTScan; temporal trends were analyzed using JoinPoint; and clusters were visualized using ArcGIS. RESULTS: A total of 1,808,067 cases of MMR were reported from 2014 to 2021 in China's mainland, most of which were children and students under the age of 20. The incidence of measles declined during 2014-2021, whereas that of mumps and rubella peaked in 2019. MMR-reported cases generally peaked from March to July; however, high numbers of mumps cases were reported from September to November in 2020-2021. Measles and rubella clusters predominantly occurred in Western China, whereas clusters of mumps were generally found in the southern region. CONCLUSION The relatively heterogeneous epidemiological characteristics of MMR have highlighted the weaknesses and gaps in surveillance and timely control of MMR transmission in China's mainland. Real-time and intelligent monitoring data should be collected for evidence-based early interventions.
China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Measles/epidemiology* ; Child ; Mumps/epidemiology* ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Rubella/epidemiology* ; Young Adult ; Infant ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine ; Infant, Newborn