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Effects of antipyretics in rinderpest virus infection in rabbits
Abstract:
Administration of acetylsalicylic acid or mefenamic acid during experimental infection of rabbits with a rabbit-adapted strain of rinderpest virus did not prevent initiation of the febrile response but significantly reduced the duration of fever. Suppression of fever had a markedly deleterious effect on the course of infection, resulting in an increased content of infectious virus in the mesenteric lymph nodes, increased mortality, and retarded recovery in animals that survived the infection. Histological lesions were mainly lymphocytic depletion in lymphoid organs and lymphoid necrosis in both rabbits treated with antipyretics and those left untreated, but damage was more pronounced in the former than in the latter. More viral antigen was detected by immunofluorescence in lymphoid organs of drug-treated rabbits than in those of untreated rabbits. Antipyretic treatment resulted in higher serum interferon levels in the early phase of infection and an increased antibody response in animals that survived the infection.
Insights
Reducing fever with antipyretics like aspirin during rinderpest virus infection worsened outcomes in rabbits, increasing virus levels and mortality. Fever suppression negatively impacted the immune response and disease course.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Rinderpest virus causes severe disease in rabbits.
- Antipyretic drugs are commonly used to manage fever during illness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of antipyretic administration on rinderpest virus infection in rabbits.
- To determine the impact of fever suppression on disease progression and immune response.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infection of rabbits with rinderpest virus.
- Administration of acetylsalicylic acid or mefenamic acid.
- Monitoring fever, viral load, mortality, and immune markers (interferon, antibodies).
- Histopathological examination of lymphoid organs.
Main Results:
- Antipyretics reduced fever duration but did not prevent its onset.
- Fever suppression led to increased viral content in lymph nodes and higher mortality.
- Histological damage and viral antigen presence were more pronounced in treated rabbits.
- Antipyretic treatment increased early interferon levels and enhanced antibody response in survivors.
Conclusions:
- Suppression of fever during rinderpest virus infection in rabbits has detrimental effects.
- Fever plays a protective role in the host's defense against this viral infection.
- Antipyretic use may exacerbate rinderpest virus disease severity.