[A field trial of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray to prevent SARS and other respiratory viral infections].
OBJECTIVE
To study the preventive effect of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray against SARS and other common respiratory viral infections by serum-epidemiological method.


METHODS
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind field trial study in populations with 14,391 persons from SARS prevalent cities or provinces in China during May-Jun, 2003 and Dec-Apr, 2004. Interferon alpha-2b was given twice per day, once 9 x 10(5) IU by nasal spray for 5 days. Serum samples were taken at 15 days after last administration. Serological tests included SARS IgG antibody and IgM antibodies against influenza B, parainfluenza virus types 1-3, adenovirus type 3, 7 and respiratory syncytial virus by using commercial ELISA kits.


RESULTS
No statistically significant difference in serum SARS IgG antibody positive rate was found between the interferon and control groups among 2,757 serum samples. On the other hand, after using interferon, all four respiratory viruses (parainfluenza virus types 1-3 influenza B, adenovirus types 3, 7 and respiratory syncytial virus) in interferon group had lower IgM antibody positive rates than those in control group. Among them there were statistically significant differences between the interferon and control groups for parainfluenza virus, influenza B and adenovirus. The preventive efficacy of interferon against four respiratory viruses was different, from high to low, the rank was Flu B (66.76%), parainfluenza types 1-3 (66.75%), RSV (39.61%) and adenovirus (32.86%). The average preventive efficacy was 50.27%.


CONCLUSIONS
The recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray could decrease the rates of common respiratory viruses infection in the selected population.
Yu
De-xian
DX
Department of Epidemiology, The Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Chen
Qing
Q
Zhang
Li-lan
LL
Liu
Yi
Y
Yu
Zhi-ai
ZA
Li
Zhi-feng
ZF
Zhang
Li-ping
LP
Hu
Gui-fang
GF
Duan
Zhao-jun
ZJ
Chu
Xin-wei
XW
Zhang
Bin
B
Yu
Shou-yi
SY
Hou
Yun-de
YD
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins