TITLE:
Prevention of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A/H5N1 Infection by Passive Immunotherapy Using Antiserum
AUTHORS:
Kazuhide Adachi, Ganita Kurniasih Suryaman, Retno Damajanti Soejoedono, Ekowati Handharyani, Yasuhiro Tsukamoto
KEYWORDS:
Avian Flu, Influenza Virus, H5N1, Antiserum, Chicken
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Microbiology,
Vol.8 No.11,
November
9,
2018
ABSTRACT: The rapid epidemic of highly pathogenic A/H5N1 avian influenza virus by transmission from poultry to humans triggered global unrest in the pandemic of novel influenza. If a human trophic strain of avian influenza viruses replicates in livestock including pigs and chickens, it may have high infectivity and pathogenicity to humans. The most effective method of reducing the outbreaks of influenza would be prophylaxis with an effective vaccine as well as anti-viral drugs including Oseltamivir and Zanamivir hydrate. In this study, chicken antiserum against A/H5N1 virus was produced: the antisera from immunized adult chicken had a strong binding activity to A/H5N1 viral antigens by ELISA. Furthermore, the antiserum strongly inhibited hemaggregation of erythrocytes and cytopathic effects in MDCK cells, indicating a strong neutralization activity against A/H5N1 infections. Interestingly, the mortality rate of chicks inoculated with A/H5N1 virus was dramatically decreased with the antiserum injection. These results suggest that antiserum may be a potentially effective protective and therapeutic modality for A/H5N1 infection.