Palivizumab for the prophylaxis of respiratory syncytial virus infection

Abstract

Palivizumab (Synagis®, MedImmune, Inc., USA) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that provides immunoprophylaxis against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV causes seasonal epidemics (winter or wet-season) of serious lower respiratory tract infections in young infants with subsequent increased frequency of recurrent wheezing during early childhood. Two large, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials including infants at high risk for severe RSV infection showed significant reduction of RSV-related hospitalizations: a 55% reduction in 1502 infants with prematurity and/or bronchopulmonary dysplasia and a 45% reduction in 1287 infants with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease. Palivizumab proved to be as safe as an intramuscular injection of 15 mg/kg every 30 days for 5 months according to local epidemiology. Recent data suggest further benefits for palivizumab prophylaxis by reduction of recurrent post-RSV wheezing.