Letter to the Editor

Response to Respiratory Synctial Virus

Authors: Christian Hampp, BS Pharm, Almut G. Winterstein, PhD

Abstract

To the Editor:


With great interest, we read the article “Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Seasonal Data for Regions of Florida and Implications for Palivizumab” by Bauman and colleagues in the July 2007 issue of the Journal.1 However, consistent with the editorial by Ian Mitchell,2 we would like to caution against the immediate acceptance of the authors’ recommendations into guidelines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis.

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References

1. Bauman J, et al. Respiratory syncytial virus: seasonal data for regions of Florida and implications for palivizumab. South Med J 2007;100:669–676.
 
2. Mitchell I. Respiratory syncytial virus: different criteria for palivizumab use in different areas? South Med J 2007;100:661–662.
 
3. Kamal-Bahl S, Doshi J, Campbell J. Economic analyses of respiratory syncytial virus immunoprophylaxis in high-risk infants: a systematic review. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2002;156:1034–1041.
 
4. Palivizumab, a humanized respiratory syncytial virus monoclonal antibody, reduces hospitalization from respiratory syncytial virus infection in high-risk infants. The IMpact-RSV Study Group. Pediatrics 1998;102:531–537.
 
5. Feltes TF, et al. Palivizumab prophylaxis reduces hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus in young children with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease. J Pediatr 2003;143:532–540.
 
6. Florida Department of Health. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Information. http://www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/epi/RSV/rsv.htm Accessed 09/12/2007.