Low-dose oral administration of human interferon alpha can control the development of Theileria parva infection in cattle.
Two natural human interferon alpha preparations, (nHuIFN-alpha [Cantell]) and (nHuIFN-alpha [ISI]), were used for the oral treatment of cattle experimentally infected with Theileria parva parva. In the first experiment, 8 Friesian bulls were inoculated with a 1 in 10 dilution of a sporozoite stabilate of T.p. parva (Marikebuni) stock. Four of the cattle were treated daily with 1 international unit/kg body weight (i.u./kg bwt) of nHuIFN-alpha (Cantell) from day -2 to day 8 p.i. None of the 4 calves given IFN developed clinical theileriosis, but 3 of the 4 control calves died of theileriosis while the fourth had a mild infection. Three of 4 treated calves and the 1 surviving control calf developed a detectable antibody response to T.p. parva schizont antigen but, on challenged with a 10-fold higher dose of stabilate, the surviving control animal and only 1 of the 4 treated calves proved to be immune. In a second experiment, 4 groups of 4 calves were inoculated with the same stabilate dilution. Three treatment groups were given either 1 i.u. nHuIFN-alpha (Cantell), 1 i.u. nHuIFN-alpha (ISI), or 10 i.u. nHuIFN-alpha (ISI)/kg bwt from day -2 to day 8 p.i. once daily and the fourth group were controls. Clinical theileriosis occurred in 2 controls, 2 calves given 10 i.u. nHuINF-alpha (ISI), 1 calf given 1 i.u. nHuIFN-alpha (ISI) and no calves given 1 i.u. nHuIFN-alpha (Cantell)/kg bwt. Of these, 2, 1, 0 and 0 cattle died in the respective groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Young
A S
AS
Protozoology Division, Muguga, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Kikuyu.
Maritim
A C
AC
Kariuki
D P
DP
Stagg
D A
DA
Wafula
J M
JM
Mutugi
J J
JJ
Cummins
J M
JM
Richards
A B
AB
Burns
C
C
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016782:Apicomplexa / Q000276:immunology; D002417:Cattle; D002460:Cell Line; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000628:therapy*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007370:Interferon Type I