Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) loads in premature infants with and without prophylactic RSV fusion protein monoclonal antibody.

It has not been determined whether respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion protein monoclonal antibody (MAb) (palivizumab) reduces infection or simply ameliorates disease. In a prospective observational study, 27 hospitalized premature infants with RSV who were not receiving MAb were compared with 10 such patients who were receiving MAb. Mean (SEM) RSV loads in the MAb and non-MAb groups were 3.36 (0.59) versus 4.89 (0.27) logPFU/ml (P=.01). Prophylactic palivizumab reduces nasal RSV in premature hospitalized infants.