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Evaluation of Antiviral Activity of Ivermectin against Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus in Rabbit Model
Chen Wang1,2,3,4,5, Yingyu Chen1,2,3,4,5, Xi Chen1,2,3,4,5
1The National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|October 28, 2023
Summary
Ivermectin shows therapeutic effects against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) by reducing clinical signs and viral shedding in rabbits. However, it does not eliminate the bovine herpes virus 1 (BoHV-1) in lung tissues and trigeminal nerves.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), caused by bovine herpes virus 1 (BoHV-1), leads to significant economic losses in the cattle industry.
- Current vaccines aim to reduce transmission and clinical signs, not eliminate the virus, highlighting the need for effective antiviral treatments.
- Previous research indicated ivermectin's potential to inhibit viral replication in cell culture models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vivo antiviral efficacy of ivermectin against BoHV-1 using a rabbit infection model.
- To determine the impact of ivermectin dosage and administration timing on IBR clinical signs, viral shedding, and antibody response.
Main Methods:
- Viral inhibition assays confirmed ivermectin's efficacy in reducing viral titers (TCID50) in vitro.
- Rabbits infected with IBRV were treated with varying doses of ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg) via subcutaneous injection at different post-infection days.
- Clinical signs, nasal shedding, antibody titers, lung lesions, and viral presence in tissues (lung, trigeminal) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Ivermectin treatment significantly reduced the incidence of hyperthermia and overall clinical scores in infected rabbits.
- Nasal viral shedding duration was reduced by two days in ivermectin-treated groups compared to controls.
- While ivermectin decreased clinical signs and shedding, BoHV-1 was still detected in lung and trigeminal tissues, indicating incomplete viral clearance.
Conclusions:
- Ivermectin demonstrates therapeutic potential for managing infectious bovine rhinotracheitis by alleviating clinical manifestations and reducing viral shedding.
- The drug's efficacy is dose-dependent and influenced by the timing of administration post-infection.
- Ivermectin treatment does not completely eradicate BoHV-1 from infected tissues, suggesting it may not be a standalone cure for complete viral elimination.
