Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Nov 21, 2024 2:34:36 GMT
Oseltamivir inhibits influenza virus replication and transmission following ocular-only aerosol inoculation of ferrets - Published July 3, 2015
Highlights
•Antiviral drugs to treat conjunctivitis caused by RNA viruses are not available.
•Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) efficacy tested following ocular exposure to influenza virus.
•Oseltamivir reduced virus replication in ferrets following ocular exposure.
•Virus transmissibility in oseltamivir-treated ferrets also diminished.
•Oseltamivir limits virus replication in human corneal epithelial cells.
Abstract
Ocular exposure to influenza virus represents an alternate route of virus entry capable of establishing a respiratory infection in mammals, but the effectiveness of currently available antiviral treatments to limit virus replication within ocular tissue or inhibit virus spread from ocular sites to the respiratory tract is poorly understood. Using an inoculation method that delivers an aerosol inoculum exclusively to the ocular surface, we demonstrate that oral oseltamivir administration following ocular-only aerosol inoculation with multiple avian and human influenza viruses protected ferrets from a fatal and systemic infection, reduced clinical signs and symptoms of illness, and decreased virus transmissibility to susceptible contacts when a respiratory infection was initiated. The presence of oseltamivir further inhibited influenza virus replication in primary human corneal epithelial cells. These findings provide critical experimental evidence supporting the use of neuraminidase inhibitors during outbreaks of influenza virus resulting in ocular disease or following ocular exposure.
Highlights
•Antiviral drugs to treat conjunctivitis caused by RNA viruses are not available.
•Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) efficacy tested following ocular exposure to influenza virus.
•Oseltamivir reduced virus replication in ferrets following ocular exposure.
•Virus transmissibility in oseltamivir-treated ferrets also diminished.
•Oseltamivir limits virus replication in human corneal epithelial cells.
Abstract
Ocular exposure to influenza virus represents an alternate route of virus entry capable of establishing a respiratory infection in mammals, but the effectiveness of currently available antiviral treatments to limit virus replication within ocular tissue or inhibit virus spread from ocular sites to the respiratory tract is poorly understood. Using an inoculation method that delivers an aerosol inoculum exclusively to the ocular surface, we demonstrate that oral oseltamivir administration following ocular-only aerosol inoculation with multiple avian and human influenza viruses protected ferrets from a fatal and systemic infection, reduced clinical signs and symptoms of illness, and decreased virus transmissibility to susceptible contacts when a respiratory infection was initiated. The presence of oseltamivir further inhibited influenza virus replication in primary human corneal epithelial cells. These findings provide critical experimental evidence supporting the use of neuraminidase inhibitors during outbreaks of influenza virus resulting in ocular disease or following ocular exposure.