High seroprevalence of antibodies against human respiratory syncytial virus and evidence of respiratory syncytial virus reinfection in young children in Thailand

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the seroprevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in young children, the correlation between RSV antibody levels in maternal and cord serum, and to provide evidence of RSV reinfection in Thai children after primary infections. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 302 mothers and 291 children between 2015 and 2021. Maternal and cord blood were collected at birth. Serial serum samples of children were collected at the ages of 2, 7, 18, 19, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months and the presence of anti-RSV immunoglobulin G (IgG) was tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The cord: maternal serum antibody ratio was 1.09 (95% confidence interval 1.08-1.11). Although >90% of babies at birth were seropositive through transplacental transfer, antibody levels gradually declined, with the highest seronegative rate (91.9%) at 7 months of age. Subsequently, anti-RSV IgG levels increased with age, most likely due to natural infection. One-third of the children showed evidence of reinfection as determined by seroconversion of anti-RSV IgG or increased titers of at least 50 relative units/ml. Conclusion: Waning of RSV antibodies in infants is rapid, and RSV infection subsequently increases anti-RSV IgG titers. RSV vaccination in children before the age of 7 months should be recommended.

Keywords

• Seroprevalence
• RSV
• Reinfection
• Infants
• Young children