Efficacy of anti-influenza immunoglobulin (FLU-IGIV) in ferrets and mice infected with 2009 pandemic influenza virus

Abstract

Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality around the world each year, even with the use of vaccines and antivirals. There is a need for more effective treatments for severe and hospitalized cases of influenza. In this study, we have tested the efficacy of a human plasma-derived IgG product (FLU-IGIV) against seasonal influenza in mouse and ferret models of influenza infection. FLU-IGIV successfully protected mice (100% survival) against lethal influenza infection. Also, the survival rate observed with FLU-IGIV treatment was better than the survival rate observed with oseltamivir (60% survival). FLU-IGIV significantly reduced the viral load in the lungs compared to placebo (PBS) in ferrets infected with influenza A/California/07/2009 (H1N1pdm09) virus. Overall, these studies demonstrate the efficacy of human plasma-derived FLU-IGIV in relevant animal models of influenza virus infection.