SAN FRANCISCO — A respiratory syncytial virus F nanoparticle vaccine was immunogenic in pregnant women and elicited antibodies that were transferred efficiently through the placenta to infants, according to research presented at IDWeek. The results have led to a landmark, ongoing phase 3 study, according to researchers.

Pedro A. Piedra, MD, a professor of virology, microbiology and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, and colleagues reported that RSV is the leading cause of infant lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and hospitalization throughout the world, with the greatest burden of severe disease experienced by infants aged younger than 5 months.