title: The effect of low dose oral human interferon alpha therapy on diarrhea in veal calves.
abstract: Low doses of recombinant human interferon alfa 2a (rHuIFN-alpha 2a), were given orally in milk replacer formula to veal calves to determine the efficacy of rHuIFN-alpha 2a for protection against diarrhea, ear and/or respiratory tract infections common in vealing operations. Calves given rHuIFN-alpha 2a had fewer days and a lower incidence of diarrhea, compared to placebo-treated calves. Calves treated with rHuIFN-alpha 2a had significantly (P < 0.05) fewer ear infections and fewer total days of ear infection than did placebo-treated calves. The mortality rate was lower in the rHuIFN-alpha 2a treatment group (1.6%) than in the placebo treatment group (2.9%) and calves given rHuIFN-alpha 2a had a greater average weight gain (13.1 lbs. more per calf) than calves given placebo. These data demonstrate that orally administered rHuIFN-alpha 2a exhibited a protective effect against clinically significant signs of disease in veal calves, reduced the mortality rate in this population, and enhanced average weight gain.
authors.affiliation: Amarillo Cell Culture Co. Inc., TX 79109.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cummins
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gawthrop
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Hutcheson
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cummins
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zeck
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins