Experimental models for respiratory syncytial virus infections

Increasing knowledge on the immune-mediated nature of respiratory syncytial virus-induced disease has stimulated interest in models to study the interaction between the virus and the host immune response. The goal of a particular study determines the experimental setting which is eventually chosen. Pure-cell culture systems are especially useful when viral infectivity and virulence as well as cell types involved in immunopathogenesis are studied. However, when the intricate mechanisms constituting the immune network are studied animal experiments, if possible followed by studies in patients and healthy volunteers, are preferred. Treatment strategies and vaccination trials need to be conducted with human volunteers or infected patients. The present review discusses these various experimental models depending on the initial hypothesis or study aim of the researcher.