Global Research Trends in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Research: A Bibliometric Analysis.
- 1Uninovafapi University Center-Afya, Teresina 64049-550, Brazil.
- 2Postgraduate Program in Nursing, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina 64049-550, Brazil.
- 3University Hospital, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina 64049-550, Brazil.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute respiratory infections and has long posed challenges to vaccine development due to historical safety concerns and the complexity of protective immunity. Recent advances in structural biology, maternal immunization, vaccines for older adults, and monoclonal antibodies have reshaped the field. This study aimed to analyze global research trends in RSV vaccine research using a bibliometric approach. Methods: A bibliometric study was conducted using records retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus on 1 September 2026. After database merging, deduplication, and data refinement, bibliometric indicators, citation patterns, collaboration networks, source distribution, and intellectual structure were analyzed using Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny in R. Results: The final corpus comprised 2516 documents published between 1968 and 2026 across 646 sources, with an annual growth rate of 10.7%. A total of 9298 authors were identified, with an average of 7.08 coauthors per document, and 24.56% of publications involved international collaboration. Scientific production increased markedly from the 2010s onward. The United States remained the leading contributor, while the most recent period showed broader participation from other countries. Vaccine was the most productive source. Citation analyses highlighted historical publications on the formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine and subsequent advances related to the prefusion F protein as important components of the field's intellectual structure. Conclusions: RSV vaccine research has evolved from a historically safety-constrained field into a mature translational area focused on prevention, implementation, real-world effectiveness, and equitable access.
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BibTeX
@article{carvalho2026global,
title = {{Global Research Trends in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Research: A Bibliometric Analysis.}},
author = {Ana Raquel Batista de Carvalho and Glória Stéphany Silva de Araújo and Maria Eduarda Pereira Correia and Fabiana de Moura Souza and Telma Maria Evangelista de Araújo and Ana Raisla de Araújo Rodrigues and Andréia Rodrigues Moura da Costa Valle and Joaquim Guerra de Oliveira Neto and Rosilane de Lima Brito Magalhães and Daniela Reis Joaquim de Freitas and Maria Zélia de Araújo Madeira and Odinéa Maria Amorim Batista and José Couras da Silva Filho and Maria Eliete Batista Moura},
journal = {Vaccines},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/vaccines14100864},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931393},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Global Research Trends in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Research: A Bibliometric Analysis.
AU - Ana Raquel Batista de Carvalho
AU - Glória Stéphany Silva de Araújo
AU - Maria Eduarda Pereira Correia
AU - Fabiana de Moura Souza
AU - Telma Maria Evangelista de Araújo
AU - Ana Raisla de Araújo Rodrigues
AU - Andréia Rodrigues Moura da Costa Valle
AU - Joaquim Guerra de Oliveira Neto
AU - Rosilane de Lima Brito Magalhães
AU - Daniela Reis Joaquim de Freitas
AU - Maria Zélia de Araújo Madeira
AU - Odinéa Maria Amorim Batista
AU - José Couras da Silva Filho
AU - Maria Eliete Batista Moura
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - Vaccines
DO - 10.3390/vaccines14100864
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931393
AB - Background/Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute respiratory infections and has long posed challenges to vaccine development due to historical safety concerns and the complexity of protective immunity. Recent advances in structural biology, maternal immunization, vaccines for older adults, and monoclonal antibodies have reshaped the field. This study aimed to analyze global research trends in RSV vaccine research using a bibliometric approach. Methods: A bibliometric study was conducted using records retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus on 1 September 2026. After database merging, deduplication, and data refinement, bibliometric indicators, citation patterns, collaboration networks, source distribution, and intellectual structure were analyzed using Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny in R. Results: The final corpus comprised 2516 documents published between 1968 and 2026 across 646 sources, with an annual growth rate of 10.7%. A total of 9298 authors were identified, with an average of 7.08 coauthors per document, and 24.56% of publications involved international collaboration. Scientific production increased markedly from the 2010s onward. The United States remained the leading contributor, while the most recent period showed broader participation from other countries. Vaccine was the most productive source. Citation analyses highlighted historical publications on the formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine and subsequent advances related to the prefusion F protein as important components of the field's intellectual structure. Conclusions: RSV vaccine research has evolved from a historically safety-constrained field into a mature translational area focused on prevention, implementation, real-world effectiveness, and equitable access.
SN - 2076-393X
ER -