The reduction of CSFV transmission to untreated pigs by the pestivirus inhibitor BPIP: a proof of concept

Vet Microbiol. 2009 Nov 18;139(3-4):365-8. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.06.026. Epub 2009 Jun 21.

Abstract

5-[(4-Bromophenyl)methyl]-2-phenyl-5H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine (BPIP) is a representative molecule of a novel class of highly active in vitro inhibitors of the replication of Classical swine fever virus (CSFV). We recently demonstrated in a proof of concept study that the molecule has a marked effect on viral replication in CSFV-infected pigs. Here, the effect of antiviral treatment on virus transmission to untreated sentinel pigs was studied. Therefore, BPIP-treated pigs (n=4), intra-muscularly infected with CSFV, were placed into contact with untreated sentinel pigs (n=4). Efficient transmission of CSFV from four untreated seeder pigs to four untreated sentinels was observed. In contrast, only two out of four sentinel animals in contact with BPIP-treated seeder animals developed a short transient infection, of which one was likely the result of sentinel to sentinel transmission. A significant lower viral genome load was measured in tonsils of sentinels in contact with BPIP-treated seeder animals compared to the positive control group (p=0.015). Although no significant difference (p=0.126) in the time of onset of viraemia could be detected between the groups of contact animals, a tendency towards the reduction of virus transmission was observed. Since sentinel animals were left untreated in this exploratory trial, the study can be regarded as a worst case scenario and gives therefore an underestimation of the potential efficacy of the activity of BPIP on virus transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Classical Swine Fever / prevention & control*
  • Classical Swine Fever / transmission*
  • Classical Swine Fever / virology
  • Classical Swine Fever Virus / drug effects*
  • Classical Swine Fever Virus / isolation & purification
  • Imidazoles / therapeutic use*
  • Palatine Tonsil / virology
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use*
  • Sus scrofa
  • Viral Load
  • Viremia / prevention & control
  • Viremia / transmission
  • Viremia / virology
  • Virus Replication / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / immunology

Substances

  • 5-((4-bromophenyl)methyl)-2-phenyl-5H-imidazo(4,5-c)pyridine
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Imidazoles
  • Pyridines