Effects of human alpha interferon on experimentally induced equine herpesvirus-1 infection in horses

The immunotherapeutic effect of low-dose human alpha interferon on viral shedding and clinical disease was evaluated in horses inoculated with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). Eighteen clinically healthy weanling horses, 5 to 7 months old, were allotted to 3 equal groups. Two groups were treated orally with human alpha-2a interferon (0.22 or 2.2 U/kg of body weight), on days 2 and 1 before inoculation with EHV-1, the day of inoculation, and again on postinoculation day 1. The horses of the remaining group were given a placebo orally on the same days. The horses were monitored daily for changes in body temperature and for clinical signs of respiratory tract disease. Blood and nasal swab specimens were collected daily for virus isolation. Blood was also collected at intervals throughout the monitoring period for evaluation of CBC, serum IgG and IgM concentrations, and antibody titers to EHV-1. Febrile responses, nasal discharge, viral shedding, changes in CBC, and an increase in antibody titers to EHV-1 were noticed in all horses after inoculation. There was no significant difference (P greater than 0.05) in mean values of the factors measured between treatment and control groups.