Interferons-α and -γ in clinical veterinary practice in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in cattle and pigs (review)

Abstract

The review article analyzes the existing world experience in the use of interferons IFN-α and -γ as well as drugs based on them in clinical veterinary practice in cattle and pigs. The selection of literary sources was carried out on the basis of their relevance and the depth of the research (search retrospectiveness is 30 years). It has been established that IFNs are widely used in the prevention and treatment of both infectious and non-infectious diseases, which can be divided into 3 groups: viral infections, oncological diseases, bacterial and aseptic diseases. The use of IFNs is due to their antiviral activity and immunoregulatory effect. Thus, IFN-α exhibits antiviral activity and is the first line of nonspecific immune defense, an inducer of IFN-γ synthesis and the main coordinator of the body's successful response to a viral infection. At the same time, IFN-γ provides immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory and mediated antibacterial action by stimulating the production of macrophages and participating in the differentiation of lymphocytes. Clinical efficacy is expressed in a decrease or cessation of the infectious process, a decrease in leukocytosis and neutrophilia, relief of acidotic syndrome, an increase in the body weight of animals and an improvement in the general clinical condition. Currently, IFN therapy is one of the most promising and constantly expanding areas of immunopharmacology and treatment of common respiratory, gastrointestinal, obstetric-gynecological diseases in farm animals.