Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Immunomodulator reduces herpes and strep symptoms in horses
By Ons, Ellen et al.·Published in Veterinary microbiology·2014·Zoetis Belgium S.A.·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Efficacy of a Parapoxvirus ovis-based immunomodulator against equine herpesvirus type 1 and Streptococcus equi equi infections in horses.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A group of horses was treated with an immunomodulator called Zylexis to see if it could help reduce symptoms from equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and Streptococcus equi equi infections. The treated horses showed significantly less nasal discharge, fewer swollen lymph nodes, and lower temperatures compared to those that did not receive the treatment. They also had less severe symptoms like difficulty breathing and depression. Overall, Zylexis appeared to be safe and effective in reducing the clinical signs and virus shedding associated with these infections.
People also search for: horse herpesvirus treatment · Zylexis for equine infections · Streptococcus equi in horses
Abstract
The efficacy of Zylexis®, an immunomodulator in horses based on inactivated Parapoxvirus ovis (iPPVO), was assessed using an equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) challenge model in the presence of a natural infection with Streptococcus equi equi (S. equi). Eleven horses were treated with iPPVO and twelve were kept as controls. Six horses were challenged with EHV-1 and commingled with the horses on study. Animals were dosed on Days -2, 0 (just before commingling) and Day 7. On Day 11 significantly less nasal discharge, enlarged lymph nodes, EHV-1 shedding and lower rectal temperatures were observed in the iPPVO-treated group. In addition, iPPVO-treated horses showed significantly fewer enlarged lymph nodes on Days 17 and 19, significantly less lower jaw swelling on Day 3 and significantly lower rectal temperatures on Days 12 and 13. Dyspnoea, depression and anorexia were only recorded for the control group. Following challenge seven out of 11 horses in the iPPVO treated group shed EHV-1 but on Days 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 quantitative virus detection in this group was significantly lower as compared to the controls. All animals shed S. equi but the percentage of animals with positive bacterial detection was lower in the iPPVO group than in the control group from Day 14 through Day 28. This difference was significant on Day 24. No injection site reactions or adverse events were observed. In conclusion, Zylexis administration is safe and reduced clinical signs and shedding related to both EHV-1 and S. equi infections.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25153651/