Subacute effects of respiratory syncytial virus infection on lung function in lambs

We examined the effects of ovine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection on lung mechanics, lung histology, and airway reactivity in lambs. Nine lambs were inoculated with ovine RSV and seven control lambs with normal saline or viral media. Serum neutralization titers were obtained prior to and 3 weeks post-inoculation (PI). Open lung biopsies were performed 1 and 3 weeks PI. Lung mechanics including dynamic compliance (C dyn ), resistance of the lung (R L ), and functional residual capacity (FRC) were measured 2 and 6 weeks PI using a plethysmograph