PALIVIZUMAB: A MONOCLONAL RSV ANTIBODY

Key words: Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Palivizumab, Broncopulmonary dysplasia, Preterm babies

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the main cause of respiratory infections in the first years of life. Preterm infants and those affected by broncopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) represent the categories at highest risk of severe RSV infections. Palivizumab is a monoclonal RSV antibody recently proposed for the prevention of RSV infections in at risk infants. The Authors discuss the results of controlled trials. The cost/benefit profile of the preventive use of palivizumab is not favorable and more studies are needed for evaluating the preventive efficacy of palivizumab on the RSV related morbidity and mortality.