How immunity to respiratory syncytial virus develops in childhood, deteriorates in adults

The leading infectious cause of severe infant respiratory disease, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is also a major cause of respiratory illness in the elderly. Approved vaccines do not yet exist, and whilst childhood infection induces partial immunity, individuals remain susceptible to RSV reinfection life-long. A comprehensive characterization of the antibody-response to RSV now advances our understanding of the human immune response against RSV and has implications for vaccine design.