Clinical trial results on the use of a recombinant feline interferon-omega to protect Japanese pearl oysters Pinctada fucata martensii from akoya-virus infection.
Japanese pearl oysters (akoya oyster: Pinctada fucata martensii) are currently suffering mass mortalities from akoya-virus infection. In the present study, akoya oysters were injected with an anti-viral, recombinant feline interferon-omega) (rFeIFN-omega) in an attempt to confer resistance to this virus. In infectivity experiments, oysters were twice injected with rFeIFN-omega at 1 mega unit kg(-1) of the meat weight. They were challenged with a single inoculation of cultured akoya-virus and held for 20 to 30 d at 25 degrees C. Control oysters received only the viral challenge without rFeIFN-omega administration. In prophylactic experiments, oysters that were given the akoya-virus on Days 1 to 5 after rFeIFN-omega administration showed lower mortalities. Furthermore, the survivors had fewer muscular lesions resulting from the virus infection than the controls. In treatment experiments, the virus was inoculated on Days 1 to 3 before rFeIFN-omega administration. None of the treated oysters died within a 30 d experimental period. Survivors displayed repaired lesions with fibrous tissues that were produced by enhanced agranulocytes in the body musculature. Moreover, rFeIFN-omega) was not toxic to akoya oysters. Thus, rFeIFN-omega administration is efficacious in preventing mortality of akoya oysters with akoya-virus infection.
Miyazaki
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Faculty of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu, Mie, Japan. miyazaki@bio.mie-u.ac.jp
Nozawa
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Kobayashi
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D000818:Animals; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007564:Japan; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014780:Viruses / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C063743:interferon omega 1