Evaluation of Baloxavir Marboxil and Peramivir for the Treatment of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in Chickens.

Augustin Twabela,Norikazu Isoda,Masatoshi Okamatsu,Yoshihiro Sakoda,Keita Matsuno

doi:10.3390/v12121407

Augustin Twabela, Norikazu Isoda + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/v12121407

Copy DOI

Journal: Viruses	Publication Date: Dec 8, 2020
Citations: 6	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Hokkaido University, Ministry of Public Health

Abstract

Control measures in the case of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in poultry include culling, surveillance, and biosecurity; wild birds in captivity may also be culled, although some rare bird species should be rescued for conservation. In this study, two anti-influenza drugs, baloxavir marboxil (BXM) and peramivir (PR), used in humans, were examined in treating HPAI in birds, using chickens as a model. Chickens were infected with H5N6 HPAI virus and were treated immediately or 24 h from challenge with 20 mg/kg BXM or PR twice a day for five days. As per our findings, BXM significantly reduced virus replication in organs and provided full protection to chickens compared with that induced by PR. In the 24-h-delayed treatment, neither drug completely inhibited virus replication nor ensured the survival of infected chickens. A single administration of 2.5 mg/kg of BXM was determined as the minimum dose required to fully protect chickens from HPAI virus; the concentration of baloxavir acid, the active form of BXM, in chicken blood at this dose was sufficient for a 48 h antiviral effect post-administration. Thus, these data can be a starting point for the use of BXM and PR in treating captive wild birds infected with HPAI virus.

Highlights

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is one of the most devastating avian viral diseases.The infection caused by the high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) induces an acute disease with high mortality reaching 100% in chickens [1,2]
No deaths were recorded in baloxavir marboxil (BXM); one chicken died at 2 dpi in PR group with treatment at 20 mg/kg, whereas all chickens died by 3 dpi in the control group (Figure 1a)
The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers for all surviving chickens ranged from 32 to 64 HI (Table 1). These results indicate that infection was established in chickens by inoculation with HPAI virus, viral excretion and clinical signs were predominantly suppressed by BXM activity at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg or higher

Summary

Introduction

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is one of the most devastating avian viral diseases. The infection caused by the high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) induces an acute disease with high mortality reaching 100% in chickens [1,2]. Aside from chickens, HPAI affects other poultry populations such as ducks, turkeys, and quails [3]. It is necessary to protect poultry and wild bird species from HPAIV infection. HPAI vaccination among chickens and domestic ducks has been implemented as a preventive measure and infection control in some countries [8,9]; stamping out the affected population has remained to be the global standard recommendation [10].

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion