scholarly journals Favipiravir at high doses has potent antiviral activity in SARS-CoV-2−infected hamsters, whereas hydroxychloroquine lacks activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (43) ◽  
pp. 26955-26965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne J. F. Kaptein ◽  
Sofie Jacobs ◽  
Lana Langendries ◽  
Laura Seldeslachts ◽  
Sebastiaan ter Horst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Antiviral Effect ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
High Dose ◽  
High Doses

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rapidly spread around the globe after its emergence in Wuhan in December 2019. With no specific therapeutic and prophylactic options available, the virus has infected millions of people of which more than half a million succumbed to the viral disease, COVID-19. The urgent need for an effective treatment together with a lack of small animal infection models has led to clinical trials using repurposed drugs without preclinical evidence of their in vivo efficacy. We established an infection model in Syrian hamsters to evaluate the efficacy of small molecules on both infection and transmission. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2−infected hamsters with a low dose of favipiravir or hydroxychloroquine with(out) azithromycin resulted in, respectively, a mild or no reduction in virus levels. However, high doses of favipiravir significantly reduced infectious virus titers in the lungs and markedly improved lung histopathology. Moreover, a high dose of favipiravir decreased virus transmission by direct contact, whereas hydroxychloroquine failed as prophylaxis. Pharmacokinetic modeling of hydroxychloroquine suggested that the total lung exposure to the drug did not cause the failure. Our data on hydroxychloroquine (together with previous reports in macaques and ferrets) thus provide no scientific basis for the use of this drug in COVID-19 patients. In contrast, the results with favipiravir demonstrate that an antiviral drug at nontoxic doses exhibits a marked protective effect against SARS-CoV-2 in a small animal model. Clinical studies are required to assess whether a similar antiviral effect is achievable in humans without toxic effects.

scholarly journals Antiviral treatment of SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters reveals a weak effect of favipiravir and a complete lack of effect for hydroxychloroquine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne JF Kaptein ◽  
Sofie Jacobs ◽  
Lana Langendries ◽  
Laura Seldeslachts ◽  
Sebastiaan ter Horst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Transmission Model ◽  
Limiting Factor

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 rapidly spread around the globe after its emergence in Wuhan in December 2019. With no specific therapeutic and prophylactic options available, the virus was able to infect millions of people. To date, close to half a million patients succumbed to the viral disease, COVID-19. The high need for treatment options, together with the lack of small animal models of infection has led to clinical trials with repurposed drugs before any preclinical in vivo evidence attesting their efficacy was available. We used Syrian hamsters to establish a model to evaluate antiviral activity of small molecules in both an infection and a transmission setting. Upon intranasal infection, the animals developed high titers of SARS-CoV-2 in the lungs and pathology similar to that observed in mild COVID-19 patients. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters with favipiravir or hydroxychloroquine (with and without azithromycin) resulted in respectively a mild or no reduction in viral RNA and infectious virus. Micro-CT scan analysis of the lungs showed no improvement compared to non-treated animals, which was confirmed by histopathology. In addition, both compounds did not prevent virus transmission through direct contact and thus failed as prophylactic treatments. By modelling the PK profile of hydroxychloroquine based on the trough plasma concentrations, we show that the total lung exposure to the drug was not the limiting factor. In conclusion, we here characterized a hamster infection and transmission model to be a robust model for studying in vivo efficacy of antiviral compounds. The information acquired using hydroxychloroquine and favipiravir in this model is of critical value to those designing (current and) future clinical trials. At this point, the data here presented on hydroxychloroquine either alone or combined with azithromycin (together with previously reported in vivo data in macaques and ferrets) provide no scientific basis for further use of the drug in humans.

scholarly journals Activity of Amoxicillin-Clavulanate against Penicillin-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in an Experimental Respiratory Infection Model in Rats

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 813-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian M. Smith ◽  
Brian Slocombe ◽  
Karen H. Abbott ◽  
Linda W. Mizen
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Penicillin Binding Proteins ◽  
Amoxicillin Clavulanate ◽  
Potassium Clavulanate ◽  
Differential Binding ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Oral Doses

ABSTRACT High doses of amoxicillin, equivalent to those produced by 500- and 750-mg oral doses in humans (area under the plasma concentration-time curve), were effective against a penicillin-resistant strain ofStreptococcus pneumoniae in an experimental respiratory tract infection in immunocompromised rats; this superior activity confirms the results of previous studies. An unexpected enhancement of amoxicillin’s antibacterial activity in vivo against penicillin-resistant and -susceptible S. pneumoniaestrains was observed when subtherapeutic doses of amoxicillin were coadministered with the β-lactamase inhibitor potassium clavulanate. The reason for this enhancement was unclear since these organisms do not produce β-lactamase. The differential binding of clavulanic acid and amoxicillin to penicillin-binding proteins may have contributed to the observed effects.

scholarly journals Toll-Like Receptor Signaling in Airborne Burkholderia thailandensis Infection

2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 5612-5622 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Eoin West ◽  
Thomas R. Hawn ◽  
Shawn J. Skerrett
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Tlr Signaling ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Airborne Infection ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
High Doses

ABSTRACT Melioidosis is a tropical disease endemic in southeast Asia and northern Australia caused by the gram-negative soil saprophyte Burkholderia pseudomallei. Although infection is often systemic, the lung is frequently involved. B. thailandensis is a closely related organism that at high doses causes lethal pneumonia in mice. We examined the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), essential components of innate immunity, in vitro and in vivo during murine B. thailandensis pneumonia. TLR2, TLR4, and TLR5 mediate NF-κB activation by B. thailandensis in transfected HEK293 or CHO cells. In macrophages, TLR4 and the adaptor molecule MyD88, but not TLR2 or TLR5, are required for tumor necrosis factor alpha production induced by B. thailandensis. In low-dose airborne infection, TLR4 is needed for early, but not late, bacterial containment, and MyD88 is essential for control of infection and host survival. TLR2 and TLR5 are not necessary to contain low-dose infection. In high-dose airborne infection, TLR2 deficiency confers a slight survival advantage. Lung and systemic inflammatory responses are induced by low-dose inhaled B. thailandensis independently of individual TLRs or MyD88. These findings suggest that redundancy in TLR signaling or other MyD88-dependent pathways may be important in pneumonic B. thailandensis infection but that MyD88-independent mechanisms of inflammation are also activated. TLR signaling in B. thailandensis infection is substantially comparable to signaling induced by virulent B. pseudomallei. These studies provide additional insights into the host-pathogen interaction in pneumonic Burkholderia infection.

scholarly journals Development of High Dose Oseltamivir Phosphate Dry Powder for Inhalation Therapy in Viral Pneumonia

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1154
Author(s):  
Shahir Aziz ◽  
Regina Scherlieβ ◽  
Hartwig Steckel
Keyword(s):  
Virus Disease ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Physicochemical Characterization ◽  
Inhalation Therapy ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Dry Powder ◽  
Medium Resistance ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Oseltamivir Phosphate

Oseltamivir phosphate (OP) is an antiviral drug available only as oral therapy for the treatment of influenza and as a potential treatment option when in combination with other medication in the fight against the corona virus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia. In this study, OP was formulated as a dry powder for inhalation, which allows drug targeting to the site of action and potentially reduces the dose, aiming a more efficient therapy. Binary formulations were based on micronized excipient particles acting like diluents, which were blended with the drug OP. Different excipient types, excipient ratios, and excipient size distributions were prepared and examined. To investigate the feasibility of delivering high doses of OP in a single dose, 1:1, 1:3, and 3:1 drug/diluent blending ratios have been prepared. Subsequently, the aerosolization performance was evaluated for all prepared formulations by cascade impaction using a novel medium-resistance capsule-based inhaler (UNI-Haler). Formulations with micronized trehalose showed relatively excellent aerosolization performance with highest fine-particle doses in comparison to examined lactose, mannitol, and glucose under similar conditions. Focusing on the trehalose-based dry-powder inhalers’ (DPIs) formulations, a physicochemical characterization of extra micronized grade trehalose in relation to the achieved performance in dispersing OP was performed. Additionally, an early indication of inhaled OP safety on lung cells was noted by the viability MTT assay utilizing Calu-3 cells.

scholarly journals Development and Characterization of a Sin Nombre Virus Transmission Model in Peromyscus maniculatus

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryce Warner ◽  
Derek Stein ◽  
Bryan Griffin ◽  
Kevin Tierney ◽  
Anders Leung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Transmission Model ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Sin Nombre Virus ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Heat Shock Responses

In North America, Sin Nombre virus (SNV) is the main cause of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory disease with a fatality rate of 35–40%. SNV is a zoonotic pathogen carried by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and few studies have been performed examining its transmission in deer mouse populations. Studying SNV and other hantaviruses can be difficult due to the need to propagate the virus in vivo for subsequent experiments. We show that when compared with standard intramuscular infection, the intraperitoneal infection of deer mice can be as effective in producing SNV stocks with a high viral RNA copy number, and this method of infection provides a more reproducible infection model. Furthermore, the age and sex of the infected deer mice have little effect on viral replication and shedding. We also describe a reliable model of direct experimental SNV transmission. We examined the transmission of SNV between deer mice and found that direct contact between deer mice is the main driver of SNV transmission rather than exposure to contaminated excreta/secreta, which is thought to be the main driver of transmission of the virus to humans. Furthermore, increases in heat shock responses or testosterone levels in SNV-infected deer mice do not increase the replication, shedding, or rate of transmission. Here, we have demonstrated a model for the transmission of SNV between deer mice, the natural rodent reservoir for the virus. The use of this model will have important implications for further examining SNV transmission and in developing strategies for the prevention of SNV infection in deer mouse populations.

scholarly journals Antiviral Effects of Antisense Morpholino Oligomers in Murine Coronavirus Infection Models

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 5637-5648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renaud Burrer ◽  
Benjamin W. Neuman ◽  
Joey P. C. Ting ◽  
David A. Stein ◽  
Hong M. Moulton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Antiviral Effect ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Murine Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Lethal Challenge ◽  
Recent Emergence

ABSTRACT The recent emergence of novel pathogenic human and animal coronaviruses has highlighted the need for antiviral therapies that are effective against a spectrum of these viruses. We have used several strains of murine hepatitis virus (MHV) in cell culture and in vivo in mouse models to investigate the antiviral characteristics of peptide-conjugated antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (P-PMOs). Ten P-PMOs directed against various target sites in the viral genome were tested in cell culture, and one of these (5TERM), which was complementary to the 5′ terminus of the genomic RNA, was effective against six strains of MHV. Further studies were carried out with various arginine-rich peptides conjugated to the 5TERM PMO sequence in order to evaluate efficacy and toxicity and thereby select candidates for in vivo testing. In uninfected mice, prolonged P-PMO treatment did not result in weight loss or detectable histopathologic changes. 5TERM P-PMO treatment reduced viral titers in target organs and protected mice against virus-induced tissue damage. Prophylactic 5TERM P-PMO treatment decreased the amount of weight loss associated with infection under most experimental conditions. Treatment also prolonged survival in two lethal challenge models. In some cases of high-dose viral inoculation followed by delayed treatment, 5TERM P-PMO treatment was not protective and increased morbidity in the treated group, suggesting that P-PMO may cause toxic effects in diseased mice that were not apparent in the uninfected animals. However, the strong antiviral effect observed suggests that with further development, P-PMO may provide an effective therapeutic approach against a broad range of coronavirus infections.

scholarly journals In VivoEfficacy of Human Simulated Regimens of Carbapenems and Comparator Agents against NDM-1-Producing Enterobacteriaceae

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 1671-1677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dora E. Wiskirchen ◽  
Patrice Nordmann ◽  
Jared L. Crandon ◽  
David P. Nicolau
Keyword(s):  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Similar Efficacy ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Prolonged Infusion ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTDoripenem and ertapenem have demonstrated efficacy against several NDM-1-producing isolatesin vivo, despite having high MICs. In this study, we sought to further characterize the efficacy profiles of humanized regimens of standard (500 mg given every 8 h) and high-dose, prolonged infusion of doripenem (2 g given every 8 h, 4-h infusion) and 1 g of ertapenem given intravenously every 24 h and the comparator regimens of ceftazidime at 2 g given every 8 h (2-h infusion), levofloxacin at 500 mg every 24 h, and aztreonam at 2 g every 6 h (1-h infusion) against a wider range of isolates in a murine thigh infection model. An isogenic wild-type strain and NDM-1-producingKlebsiella pneumoniaeand eight clinical NDM-1-producing members of the familyEnterobacteriaceaewere tested in immunocompetent- and neutropenic-mouse models. The wild-type strain was susceptible to all of the agents, while the isogenic NDM-1-producing strain was resistant to ceftazidime, doripenem, and ertapenem. Clinical NDM-1-producing strains were resistant to nearly all five of the agents (two were susceptible to levofloxacin). In immunocompetent mice, all of the agents produced ≥1-log10CFU reductions of the isogenic wild-type and NDM-1-producing strains after 24 h. Minimal efficacy of ceftazidime, aztreonam, and levofloxacin against the clinical NDM-1-producing strains was observed. However, despitein vitroresistance, ≥1-log10CFU reductions of six of eight clinical strains were achieved with high-dose, prolonged infusion of doripenem and ertapenem. Slight enhancements of doripenem activity over the standard doses were obtained with high-dose, prolonged infusion for three of the four isolates tested. Similar efficacy observations were noted in neutropenic mice. These data suggest that carbapenems are a viable treatment option for infections caused by NDM-1-producingEnterobacteriaceae.

scholarly journals Use of standardized SCID-hu Thy/Liv mouse model for preclinical efficacy testing of anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 compounds.

1996 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 755-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Rabin ◽  
M Hincenbergs ◽  
M B Moreno ◽  
S Warren ◽  
V Linquist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Nucleoside Analogs ◽  
Antiviral Effect ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

We have developed standardized procedures and practices for infection of SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 for the prophylactic administration of antiviral compounds and for evaluation of the antiviral effect in vivo. Endpoint analyses included quantitation of viral load by intracellular p24 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, DNA PCR for the presence of proviral genomes, flow cytometry to measure the representation of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and cocultivation for the isolation of virus. Efficacy tests in this model are demonstrated with the nucleoside analogs zidovudine and dideoxyinosine and with the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor nevirapine. This small-animal model should be particularly useful in the preclinical prioritization of lead compounds within a common chemical class, in the evaluation of alternative in vivo dosing regimens, and in the determination of appropriate combination therapy in vivo.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Humanized High-Dose Meropenem, Cefepime, and Levofloxacin against Enterobacteriaceae Isolates Producing Verona Integron-Encoded Metallo-β-Lactamase (VIM) in a Murine Thigh Infection Model

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 7145-7147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Islam M. Ghazi ◽  
Jared L. Crandon ◽  
Emil P. Lesho ◽  
Patrick McGann ◽  
David P. Nicolau
Keyword(s):  
Murine Model ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Mics

ABSTRACTWe aimed to describe thein vivoactivity of humanized pharmacokinetic exposures of meropenem and comparators against Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) (VIM)-producingEnterobacteriaceaein a murine model. Levofloxacin activity was predicted by its MIC, and cefepime activity displayed variability, whereas meropenem produced a >1 log CFU reduction against all isolates despite high MICs indicative of resistance. Our results suggest that despitein vitroresistance, high-dose meropenem may be a possible option against infections caused byEnterobacteriaceaeproducing MBL-type carbapenemases.

scholarly journals Immunotherapy of a murine tumor with interleukin 2. Increased sensitivity after MHC class I gene transfection.

1987 ◽  
Vol 166 (6) ◽  
pp. 1716-1733 ◽  
Author(s):  
J S Weber ◽  
G Jay ◽  
K Tanaka ◽  
S A Rosenberg
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Class I ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Class I Mhc ◽  
High Doses ◽  
I Gene

We have shown that two weakly immunogenic MCA sarcomas developed in our laboratory that are sensitive to high-dose IL-2 immunotherapy express class I MHC in vivo and in vitro. Two nonimmunogenic MCA sarcomas are relatively insensitive to IL-2 therapy and express minimal or no class I MHC molecules in vivo and in vitro. To study the role of MHC in the therapy of tumors with IL-2, a class I-deficient murine melanoma, B16BL6, was transfected with the Kb class I gene. Expression of class I MHC rendered B16BL6 advanced pulmonary macrometastases sensitive to IL-2 immunotherapy. 3-d micrometastases of CL8-2, a class I transfected clone of B16BL6, were significantly more sensitive to IL-2 therapy than a control nontransfected line. Expression of Iak, a class II MHC molecule, had no effect on IL-2 therapy of transfectant pulmonary micrometastases in F1 mice. By using lymphocyte subset depletion with mAbs directed against Lyt-2, therapy of class I transfectant macrometastases with high-dose IL-2 was shown to involve an Lyt-2 cell. In contrast, regression of micrometastases treated with low-dose IL-2 involved Lyt-2+ cells, but regression mediated by high doses of IL-2 did not. We hypothesize that both LAK and Lyt-2+ T cells effect IL-2-mediated elimination of micrometastases, but only Lyt-2+ T cells are involved in macrometastatic regression. Low doses of IL-2 stimulate Lyt-2+ cells to eliminate class I-expressing micrometastases, but high doses of IL-2 can recruit LAK cells to mediate regression of micrometastases independent of class I expression. Only high-dose IL-2, mediating its effect predominantly via Lyt-2+ cells, is capable of impacting on MHC class I-expressing macrometastases. Macrometastases devoid of class I MHC antigens appear to be resistant to IL-2 therapy.

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