New Monoclonal Antibody Significantly Reduces Hospitalizations for Bronchiolitis in Infants

Recent research indicates that a single administration of the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab can lead to a 50% reduction in hospitalizations due to bronchiolitis among infants under six months of age. This groundbreaking study was conducted by a collaboration of institutions, including the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Catalonia, as well as several hospitals in the UK and Italy.

Nirsevimab has been specifically developed to prevent infections caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a major contributor to bronchiolitis in young children. The European Union has approved this treatment for infants during their first season of exposure to RSV. The findings were published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe and were led by Dr. Danilo Buonsenso, a pediatric researcher.

Dr. Buonsenso highlighted that this study is particularly notable as it offers a real-world analysis of the impact of nirsevimab by comparing regions that have adopted the drug with those that have not. The research involved data gathered from 68 hospitals in Catalonia and several medical facilities in the UK and Italy, focusing on the effectiveness of nirsevimab in reducing hospital admissions.

Bronchiolitis is an acute viral infection primarily affecting children under one year old, with a peak incidence between November and March. RSV is responsible for approximately 75% of these cases, leading to severe respiratory complications in infants, particularly those younger than six months. Other viruses, including metapneumovirus, coronaviruses, and adenoviruses, can also cause bronchiolitis.

The study's results showed that hospitalizations for bronchiolitis in infants under six months in Catalonia have nearly halved compared to previous seasons. Additionally, emergency department visits for this age group saw a significant decline. Conversely, no substantial reduction was observed in other European regions where nirsevimab was not utilized.

While the drug demonstrated remarkable efficacy in infants, its effectiveness was less pronounced in older children aged between six and 23 months. The authors of the study emphasize the importance of conducting larger, coordinated international studies to evaluate the broader implications of introducing nirsevimab on a larger scale, including its economic viability.

This study marks a significant advancement in understanding the real-world effectiveness of preventive measures against RSV, providing valuable insights into health policy decisions across different countries.