Evaluation of Immune Globulin and Recombinant Interferon-α2b for Treatment of Experimental Ebola Virus Infections

A passive immunization strategy for treating Ebola virus infections was evaluated using BALB/c mice, strain 13 guinea pigs, and cynomolgus monkeys. Guinea pigs were completely protected by injection of hyperimmune equine IgG when treatment was initiated early but not after viremia had developed. In...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of infectious diseases 1999-02, Vol.179 (Supplement-1), p.S224-S234
Main Authors: Jahrling, P. B., Geisbert, T. W., Geisbert, J. B., Swearengen, J. R., Bray, M., Jaax, N. K., Huggins, J. W., LeDuc, J. W., Peters, C. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibodies
Antivirals
Blood plasma
Dosage
Ebola virus
Experimental Therapy
Horses
Infections
Inoculation
Viremia
Viruses
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Summary:A passive immunization strategy for treating Ebola virus infections was evaluated using BALB/c mice, strain 13 guinea pigs, and cynomolgus monkeys. Guinea pigs were completely protected by injection of hyperimmune equine IgG when treatment was initiated early but not after viremia had developed. In contrast, mice were incompletely protected even when treatment was initiated on day 0, the day of virus inoculation. In monkeys treated with one dose of IgG on day 0, onset of illness and viremia was delayed, but all treated animals died. A second dose of IgG on day 5 had no additional beneficial effect. Pretreatment of monkeys delayed onset of viremia and delayed death several additional days. Interferon-α2b (2 × 107 IU/kg/day) had a similar effect in monkeys, delaying viremia and death by only several days. Effective treatment of Ebola infections may require a combination of drugs that inhibit viral replication in monocyte/macrophage-like cells while reversing the pathologic effects (e.g., coagulopathy) consequent to this replication.
ISSN:0022-1899
1537-6613
DOI:10.1086/514310