Genomic Surveillance and Antigenic Characterization of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Spain During the 2023-2024 Season of Nirsevimab Administration
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory infections in infants and older adults. In Spain, surveillance is supported by the SiVIRA system and the RELECOV genomic sequencing network. The 2023-2024 season marked the first nationwide administration of nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody for preventing severe RSV in infants. This study analyzes the genomic evolution of RSV during this period, focusing on potential escape mutations in the F protein. RSV-A showed high genetic diversity with eleven circulating lineages, while RSV-B was dominated by lineage B.D.E.1. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three distinct B.D.4.1.1 groups, one sharing mutations with B.D.E.1 in the nirsevimab binding site. Despite these changes, neutralization assays confirmed that nirsevimab and other monoclonal antibodies remained effective. No significant antigenic drift compromising immunoprophylaxis was observed. These findings support the continued efficacy of nirsevimab and highlight the importance of genomic surveillance for tracking RSV evolution and informing future immunization strategies.
Authors
- Carlos Daviña‐Núñez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6952-2219)
- Zambrano Pérez
- Ana Navascués (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1372-9680)
- Sandra Camarero‐Espinosa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0414-7141)
- Inmaculada Casas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1840-1198)
- Sonia Pérez‐Castro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1734-1904)
- Cristina Calvo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6503-3423)
- Olga Cano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4281-7572)
- María Luz García‐García (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4906-4227)
- José Costa
- Vicente Más (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0887-0743)
- Francisco Pozo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1828-733X)
- Ana Fernández‐González (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6852-0836)
- Sonia Vázquez‐Morón (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0977-741X)
- Andrés Antón (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1476-0815)
- Sonia Alcolea (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1233-1723)
- José Antonio Lepe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3635-4930)
- Diego García-Martínez de Artola (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0771-5968)
- María Iglesias‐Caballero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3248-4471)
- Albert Campoy
- Jordi Reina
- Laura Moreno-Parrado
- Cristina Gaona
Institutions
- Universidade da Coruña (ES)
- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (ES)
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ES)
- University Hospital Complex Of Vigo (ES)
- Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (ES)
- Galicia Sur Biomedical Foundation (ES)
- Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago (ES)
- Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (ES)
- Centro Nacional de Microbiologia (ES)
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (ES)
- Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda (ES)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (ES)
- Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (ES)
- Centro de Implantología Cirugía Oral y Maxilofacial (ES)
- Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (ES)
- Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (ES)
- Hospital Universitario Son Espases (ES)
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío (ES)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (ES)
- Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa (ES)
- Medical Research Network (US)
- Universidade de Vigo (ES)
- Universidad de Navarra (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The Journal of Infectious Diseases
- Published
- 2025-10-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf530
- Primary Topic
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00