The Effects From Oral Administration of Recombinant Interferon-alpha on Piglet Daily Care

The administration of interferon has improved the antiviral and immunomodulatory abilities of piglets, which is conductive to conductive to the prevention of potential diseases or delay the appearance of clinical symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects from administration of recombinant interferon-alpha (IFN-α) on the daily care of piglets. The results were compared with compound Chinese herbal, which was proved to improve serum interferon level. Further, the administration routes were compared between oral administration and intramuscular injection. Forty (40) piglets with equal age and weight were randomly divided into four groups: Control group (Group C, without treatment), Group H (treated with compound Chinese herbal), Group K (administered orally with recombinant IFN-α, 1500 IU per day per piglet), and Group J (administered intramuscularly with IFN-α, 4× 106 IU per day per piglet). After the treatment of 15 days, both oral and intramuscular treatment of recombinant IFN-α significantly improved the secretion of IFN-gamma (IFN-γ) (P<0.05), and the effects of intramuscular pathway were faster. In addition, the expression levels of IFN-stimulated genes (MX1 and ISG15) were significantly enhanced (P<0.01), independently of IFN-α treatment time and serum IFN-γ level. Different from other studies, compound Chinese herbal showed weaker effects on interferon stimulation in piglets. The results indicated that oral administration of recombinant IFN-α improved interferon-induced response of piglets at both serum and molecular levels, which may be applied for improving autoimmunity of piglets.

The value of interferon therapy for COVID-19 in children

The article presents a literature review, which provides data on the role of interferons in the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19 and the clinical efficacy of drugs based on recombinant interferon-alpha 2b in the treatment of children with new coronavirus infection. Shown the leading role ofinterferons as factors of the first line of defense against various viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Numerous studies have proven the feasibility of including interferon preparations in COVID-19 therapyregimens in children, both as combinations with antiviral agents and as monotherapy.

Interferon alpha-2b in comprehensive treatment of patients with COVID-19

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of human recombinant interferon alpha-2b (VIFERON®) as a part of comprehensive treatment for coronavirus infection COVID-19. Patients and methods. This prospective, comparative, controlled study included 140 patients with COVID-19 randomized in two groups. The experimental group (EG) included 70 patients who received standard therapy plus VIFERON® (one rectal suppository 3,000,000 IU three times a day and gel 36,000 IU/g 5 times a day applied to the nasal mucosa and palatine tonsils for 14 days); the control group (CG) comprised 70 patients who received standard therapy alone. Results. Patients in the EG demonstrated more rapid resolution of main symptoms, such as intoxication, bronchopulmonary and catarrhal manifestations. Normalization of the total score in the EG was observed 7 days earlier than in the CG. In the EG, the proportions of patients who had their D-dimer and CRP levels normalized were 42.7% and 18.7% higher than those in the CG, respectively (р < 0.05). Follow-up computed tomography demonstrated that the proportion of patients with positive dynamics in the EG was 8.1% higher than that among controls, whereas advanced disease with 51%–75% of lung tissue affected was 11.9% less common in participants from the EG than in controls (р = 0.019). We observed no adverse events associated with interferon alpha-2b (VIFERON®) or other medicines included in the treatment scheme. Conclusion. Our findings suggest high efficacy and safety of recombinant interferon alpha-2b (VIFERON®) used in combination with symptomatic agents, antibiotics, anticoagulants, which allows us to recommend this drug for inclusion into standard treatment schemes for COVID-19. Key words: COVID-19, coronavirus infection, human recombinant interferon alpha-2b

The use of interferon alpha-2b for prevention of novel coronavirus infection in healthcare workers

Novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has some specific clinical and immunopathogenic properties. SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Coronaviridae family, the Betacoronavirus genus. COVID-19 can be asymptomatic, the most common clinical manifestation of this disease is viral pneumonia. The development of acute respiratory distress syndrome is noted in less than 5% of cases. The entry gates of this virus are the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract and epithelial cells (epitheliocytes) of the gastrointestinal tract. When the virus enters the human respiratory tract, mucociliary clearance is inhibited and epithelial cells die, allowing the virus to enter the peripheral blood with subsequent damage to target organs (lungs, digestive tract, heart, kidneys). An important pathogenic characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially with severe disease, is an excessive immune system response with massive release of cytokines, which causes acute respiratory distress syndrome. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 can be significantly more sensitive to type I interferons (IFN-I), than other coronaviruses. IFN-I deficiency is thought to play a key role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, and several studies have shown that delayed IFN-I signaling is associated with sustained viral replication and serious complications. The use of interferon-based medicines (IFN-I) for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 appears to be quite important to study attentively. This paper presents an original regimen of recombinant interferon alpha-2b-based medicine (Grippferon®, nasal drops and spray) for the medication-assisted post-exposure prevention of COVID-19 in healthcare specialists, working in the pediatric infectious disease hospital. The effectiveness and safety of this medication regimen for the COVID-19 prevention was shown. Key words: medication-assisted prevention, COVID-19, post-exposure protection of healthcare workers, recombinant interferon alpha-2b, Grippferon

The efficacy of intranasal recombinant interferon alpha-2b for emergency prevention of COVID-19 in healthcare workers

Healthcare workers are one of the main risk groups for COVID-19 infection and should be provided priority protection. Objective. To examine the development dynamics and epidemic process manifestations of COVID-19 in healthcare workers as well as to assess the efficacy of intranasal human recombinant interferon alpha-2b (Grippferon®) for emergency medicationassisted nonspecific prevention of novel coronavirus infection. Patients and methods. The incidence of COVID-19 in Perm healthcare workers was examined using official statistical data in the epidemic dynamics. The prophylactic efficacy of Grippferon® was assessed in the analytic cohort prospective study, involving 561 healthcare workers of infectious diseases hospital departments. Results. The incidence rate of COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Perm for the examined period from 09.03.2020 to 06.12.2020 was four times higher, than in the general population. Healthcare workers aged 30–59 years were found to be more likely to develop COVID-19. Physicians had the highest risk of infection compared to other medical professionals. The prophylactic efficacy of Grippferon® was shown to be high in physicians and nurses, who were in contact with COVID-19 patients. Conclusion. Recombinant interferon alpha-2b-based medication Grippferon® can be recommended for emergency prevention of novel coronavirus infection to ensure epidemiological safety of healthcare workers and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key words: COVID-19, incidence rate, healthcare workers, recombinant interferon alpha-2b, Grippferon, intranasal use, prevention

Еxternal forms of recombinant interferon alfa-2b - ointment and gel in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza in children

The review article presents the results of numerous studies on the effectiveness and safety of the newly developed forms of the human recombinant interferon alpha- 2b drug, ointment and gel, intended for the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza in children. Еxternal forms of the drug retain immunomodulatory, antiviral and antiproliferative effects. The dosage form of the preparation of interferon alpha-2b VIFERON® in the form of a gel or ointment allows to achieve a prolonged action due to good absorption, especially the gel, which increases its effectiveness, and also has a moisturizing effect and rarely causes allergies. All of the above properties justify the inclusion of the drug interferon alpha-2b VIFERON® in the form of a gel or ointment in the complex treatment of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in children.