title: Application of xenogeneic anti-canine distemper virus antibodies in treatment of canine distemper puppies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The clinical feasibility of passive immunotherapy has not been demonstrated in dogs naturally infected with canine distemper. In this study, porcine anti-canine distemper virus IgG and F(ab')2antibody fragments were used to treat infected puppies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 41 naturally infected puppies (age Äsix months) exhibiting severe respiratory signs, but lacking neurological signs, were enrolled in the study. Twenty-five puppies were treated with a combination of IgG or F(ab')2antibody fragments (Group 1) and supportive therapy and 16 puppies received routine supportive care only (Group 2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survival rate of dogs in Group 1 (19/25; 76%) was significantly higher than that in Group 2 (5/16; 31·3%) (P<0·05). During the therapy, 8 of the 25 dogs (32%) in Group 1 developed neurological signs versus 12 of the 16 dogs (75%) in Group 2 (P<0·05). Adverse reactions were limited to elevated body temperature in dogs that received IgG antibodies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Porcine anti-canine distemper virus antibodies improved survival in puppies affected with canine distemper with minimal adverse effects. Therefore, this therapy could be considered for treatment of endangered animal species infected with canine distemper virus.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, National Taiwan University, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Medicine, Animal Technology Laboratories, Agriculture Technology Research Institute, 35053, Miaoli, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Technology, Animal Technology Laboratories, Agriculture Technology Research Institute, 35053, Miaoli, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Technology, Animal Technology Laboratories, Agriculture Technology Research Institute, 35053, Miaoli, Taiwan.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Technology, Animal Technology Laboratories, Agriculture Technology Research Institute, 35053, Miaoli, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Technology, Animal Technology Laboratories, Agriculture Technology Research Institute, 35053, Miaoli, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, National Taiwan University, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan. bilingsu@ntu.edu.tw.|National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital, National Taiwan University, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan. bilingsu@ntu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile / Q000276:immunology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D004216:Distemper / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004217:Distemper Virus, Canine / Q000276:immunology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D014765:Viral Vaccines