The coating of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus-infected cells in the respiratory tract by immunoglobulins.

During the course of 26 respiratory syncytial (RS) virus infections, infected cells in the respiratory tract become coated with immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM), IgA being predominant. Methods are described for detecting both intracellular virus and coating immunoglobulin using a double staining technique and immunofluorescence. IgA coating antibody appears in small amounts very early in the illness. The relationship of coating antibody to pathogenesis, prevention, and recovery from RS virus infection is discussed.