murabutide and Orthomyxoviridae-Infections

Muramyl dipeptide (MDP), murabutide (a derivative of MDP), mouse alpha-interferon (MoIFN), and polyinosinic-polycytodylic acid (poly (I-C) were tested in a mouse-influenza virus model for anti-influenza virus activity. None of these compounds administered alone prior to virus challenge had more than minimal ability to protect mice from influenza virus infection. In contrast, mice given either MDP or murabutide 2 days prior to challenge with influenza A/Hong Kong/68 virus and poly I-C 1 day prior to virus challenge had significantly reduced pulmonary virus titers and mortality compared to comparably challenged control mice. No significant reductions in pulmonary virus titers or mortality were seen if MoIFN was given in place of poly I-C in this sequence.

Topics: Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Drug Therapy, Combination; Interferon Type I; Lung; Male; Mice; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Poly I-C

The antiviral activity of a novel biological response modifier (murabutide MDP derivative) has been investigated in 3-week-old OF1 mice infected with influenza (A/Texas/1/77) virus. In each experimental and control group, 10 mice were infected intranasally with a viral dose producing 50% mortality in 5 days and received murabutide via the subcutaneous or intranasal route at various doses either in a simple or in daily repeated administration. All experiments were done in triplicate. Significant prophylactic or therapeutic effects were observed when murabutide was administered the same day as virus, 4 days or 2 days before virus, and 2 days later. These effects varied with the route of administration and the doses of the compound.

Topics: Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine; Administration, Intranasal; Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Influenza A virus; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype; Injections, Subcutaneous; Mice; Orthomyxoviridae Infections