title: Clinical improvement in feline herpesvirus 1 infected cats by oral low dose of interleukin-12 plus interferon-gamma.
abstract: Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) is a widespread cat pathogen inducing rhinitis, conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers. To alleviate acute FHV-1-induced disease, antiviral agents are used often with antibiotics. But sometimes, these treatments, as well as conventional doses of cytokines have moderate efficacy and/or collateral effects. Herein we have investigated the effects of low dose interleukin (IL)-12 plus interferon (IFN)-gamma, prepared by Sequential Kinetic Activated (SKA), on the treatment of FHV-1 infection. Twenty-five, unvaccinated FHV-1-positive cats were recruited into a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial. Fifteen cats were treated for 6 months with oral low doses of SKA IL-12 plus IFN-gamma and 10 cats were treated with placebo. At 1, 6 and 12 months (follow-up) after the beginning of treatment, clinical assessment, PCR assay and blood count were carried out. At follow-up, in treated group, we observed significant (p<0.05) improvements in clinical signs and PCR became negative in 12/15 cats (80%). In placebo, 10/10 cats were PCR-positive, with improvements (30%) or worsening (70%) in clinical signs. Blood values were normal in both groups. Our results show that the low dose therapy, based on activated solutions of IL-12 plus IFN-gamma, represents a novel approach to treat FHV-1 infection in cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Department of Chemistry, Istituto Zooprofilattico del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: filomena.fiorito@unina.it.
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fiorito
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cantiello
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna Elvira
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Granato
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Navas
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinic Noè, Telese Terme, Benevento, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diffidenti
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: luisa.demartino@unina.it.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Martino
authors.affiliation: CNR, Institute of Cybernetics, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Veeramani
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Maharajan
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Unit, GUNA S.p.a., Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Olivieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pagnini
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iovane
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D002415:Cats; D003236:Conjunctivitis, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D011558:Herpesvirus 1, Suid; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017201:Virus Shedding
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: Cats; Clinical trial; Feline herpesvirus-1; Interleukin-12 plus interferon-gamma; Low dose therapy; Sequential Kinetic ActivationSequential kinetic activation