The reduction of CSFV transmission to untreated pigs by the pestivirus inhibitor BPIP: a proof of concept.
5-[(4-Bromophenyl)methyl]-2-phenyl-5H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine (BPIP) is a representative molecule of a novel class of highly active in vitro inhibitors of the replication of Classical swine fever virus (CSFV). We recently demonstrated in a proof of concept study that the molecule has a marked effect on viral replication in CSFV-infected pigs. Here, the effect of antiviral treatment on virus transmission to untreated sentinel pigs was studied. Therefore, BPIP-treated pigs (n=4), intra-muscularly infected with CSFV, were placed into contact with untreated sentinel pigs (n=4). Efficient transmission of CSFV from four untreated seeder pigs to four untreated sentinels was observed. In contrast, only two out of four sentinel animals in contact with BPIP-treated seeder animals developed a short transient infection, of which one was likely the result of sentinel to sentinel transmission. A significant lower viral genome load was measured in tonsils of sentinels in contact with BPIP-treated seeder animals compared to the positive control group (p=0.015). Although no significant difference (p=0.126) in the time of onset of viraemia could be detected between the groups of contact animals, a tendency towards the reduction of virus transmission was observed. Since sentinel animals were left untreated in this exploratory trial, the study can be regarded as a worst case scenario and gives therefore an underestimation of the potential efficacy of the activity of BPIP on virus transmission.
Vrancken
R
R
Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, Groeselenberg 99, B-1180 Ukkel, Belgium. Rovra@var.fgov.be
Haegeman
A
A
Dewulf
J
J
Paeshuyse
J
J
Puerstinger
G
G
Tignon
M
M
Le Potier
M-F
MF
Neyts
J
J
Koenen
F
F
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006691:Classical Swine Fever / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D006692:Classical Swine Fever Virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000821:virology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D034421:Sus scrofa; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
C516398:5-((4-bromophenyl)methyl)-2-phenyl-5H-imidazo(4,5-c)pyridine; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D011725:Pyridines