Active immunity, see Immunity.
Adenoviruses are a family of viruses that cause many common respiratory illnesses, ranging from the common cold to pneumonia, croup and bronchitis. These viruses may also cause other illnesses, such as gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis and rashes. Patients with compromised immune systems are especially susceptible to severe complications of adenovirus infection.
Anaphylaxis is a severe and rapid systemic allergic reaction to an allergen (such as a foreign protein or drug). Exposure may be by ingestion, inhalation, skin contact or injection. Minute amounts of such a trigger substance may cause life-threatening anaphylactic shock (see below).
Anaphylactic shock is an often severe and sometimes fatal systemic reaction to a specific antigen that results in rapid constriction of the airway, often within minutes of onset. Immediate administration of epinephrine (adrenaline) and advanced medical care to assist breathing are critical for this life-threatening medical emergency.
An antibody is a protein produced by the immune system in response to specific antigens to counteract the antigen's effects. Each antibody recognizes a specific antigen.
An antigen is a substance (such as a toxin or an enzyme) that is capable of stimulating an immune response within the human body.
Arrhythmia, see Cardiac arrhythmia.
Bacteria are organisms found in soil, water, people, animals and plants. Many types of bacteria act as pathogens and conveyors of disease. Persons infected with the pathogens may be treated with antibiotics that either kill bacteria (bacteriocidal antibiotics) or hamper their growth (bacteriostatic antibiotics).
Bradycardia, see Cardiac arrhythmia.
Bronchiolitis is an inflammation of the bronchioles, the smallest air passages of the lungs. The term usually refers to acute viral bronchiolitis, a common disease in infancy, that is most often caused by respiratory syncytial virus. Other viruses that may cause this illness include metapneumovirus, influenza, parainfluenza virus, coronavirus and rhinovirus.
Cardiac arrhythmia refers to a group of conditions in which muscle contraction of the heart becomes irregular. An unusually fast rhythm (more than 100 beats per minute) is called tachycardia. An unusually slow rhythm (fewer than 60 beats per minute) is called bradycardia.
Congenital heart disease can include congenital heart defects, congenital arrhythmias and cardiomyapathy (a chronic disorder of the heart muscle that may involve obstructive damage).
Cyanosis is the bluish coloration of the skin that results from the insufficient oxygenation of the blood. It can occur in the fingers, fingernails, or other extremities, or in the lips and face.
Hypersensitivity is an immune response that damages the body's own tissues. Type I hypersensitivity (also called immediate hypersensitivity) is an allergic reaction provoked by reexposure to a specific antigen by ingestion, inhalation, injection or direct contact. With Type II hypersensitivity (also called antibody-dependent hypersensitivity), the antibodies produced by the immune response bind to antigens on the patient's own cell surfaces, leading to acute inflammation and more-severe reactions at the site.
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a recently identified virus that causes a spectrum of respiratory illness, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infections to severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Clinical symptoms of HMPV infection may seem indistinguishable from those of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Symptoms include high fever, severe cough, difficulty breathing, abnormally rapid breathing, wheezing, vomiting and diarrhea.
Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are second to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as a common cause of lower respiratory tract disease in young children. Similar to RSV, HPIVs can cause repeated infections throughout life, usually appearing as an upper respiratory tract illness (such as cold or sore throat). HPIVs can also cause serious lower respiratory tract disease with repeat infection (such as pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchiolitis), especially among the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
Immunity refers to the body's ability to resist a particular disease, especially by preventing the development of a pathogenic microorganism, or by counteracting the effects of its products. Active immunity refers to the use of vaccines that expose a body to a dead or weakened form of a particular antigen to stimulate the body's natural immune system. Passive immunity refers to immunity to particular antigens that occurs when genetic traits are passed on from parents to offspring.
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a virus that attacks the respiratory tract, causing (among other symptoms) fever, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, irritated eyes, body aches and extreme coldness. Influenza's effects are much more severe and last longer than those of the cold, and recovery often takes about one to two weeks. It can be deadly, especially for the weak, old or chronically ill.
Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are antibodies that are genetically engineered and custom-designed to bind specifically to a particular antigen and destroy it. When used as a therapeutic agent, monoclonal antibodies generally work quickly, for a significant amount of time, with minimal side effects.
Passive immunity, see Immunity.
A pathogen is a biological agent (often referred to as an infectious agent) that can cause disease in its host.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages. In most infants, RSV causes only minor symptoms that resemble those of the common cold or flu. But in premature babies, RSV can lead to lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, which can be serious and sometimes life-threatening.
Synagis® (palivizumab) is the first FDA-approved monoclonal antibody developed to combat viral infection. It is used to prevent serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in certain high-risk pediatric patients.
Tachycardia, see Cardiac arrhythmia.
A virus is a small particle that infects cells in biological organisms, causing infectious disease.
About Synagis
Synagis is indicated for the prevention of serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in pediatric patients at high-risk of RSV disease, which is prominent in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter months. Synagis is a humanized monoclonal antibody given by an intramuscular injection once a month during the RSV season. Synagis was approved in 1998 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); in 1999, by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency; and in 2 002, by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. In 2003, the FDA expanded the U.S. label for Synagis for use in young children with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease at risk of RSV disease. To date, Synagis has been approved in 62 countries, including the United States. Synagis has been used in more than half a million babies since 1998.
Adverse events with Synagis may include upper respiratory tract infection, ear infection, fever, runny nose, rash, diarrhea, cough, vomiting, gastrointestinal upset and wheezing. Very rare cases of severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis (less than 1 case per 100,000 patients) have been reported following re-exposure to Synagis. Rare severe, acute hypersensitivity reactions have also been reported on initial exposure or re-exposure to Synagis. Synagis should not be used in patients with a history of a severe prior reaction to Synagis or its components.
For full prescribing information for Synagis, see the company's website at http://www.medimmune.com/products/synagis/index.asp.
Glossary of RSV-Related Terms
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