2008 OMIG, Abstract 23

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Effects of Topical Nanoviricides in Rabbit Model of EKC
V. Boniuk,. H. Ailani  J. Jonisch. I.J. Udell  
The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, North Shore Long Island Jewish Department of Ophthalmology, New Hyde Park, NY


Purpose:  To Evaluate Effects of Topical Nanoviricides on Rabbit Model of EKC
Methods: Utilizing EKC rabbit  model described by Y.J. Gordon et al , 12 female New Zealand rabbits  were inoculated topically and intrastromally with Adenovirus Type 5  under the operating microscope under anesthesia. All 12 rabbits had procedure performed on both eyes—rabbit # 12 received BSS instead of virus. After 15 hours,all animals (except Group D) received 2 drops to both eyes (50 ul per drop) twice a day for 10 days in a blinded manner. Group D received no drops at all.
There were 12 rabbits in 4 groups: Group A (vehicle control) Group B (NNVC B)
Group C (NNVC C) and Group D. Swabs were taken pre-inoculation, at 3 hours after viral adsorption and at days 3, 6, 9, and 21 as well as at sacrifice (Day 37). Blood samples were taken pre-inoculation and Days 9, 21, and 37, spun down and frozen at -70 degrees. Rabbits were monitored daily 1-10 and days 21 and 37, graded 0-4 for conjunctival injection, blepharitis, and corneal subepithelial infiltrates by 2 observers.
Results:  There were higher clinical scores for conjunctival injection and blepharitis in Group A than in Groups NNVC B and NNVC C.. The two infected untreated rabbits in Group D were similar to Group A. The sham infected rabbit in Group D had mild initial reaction, did not develop clinical disease and had no SEI’s. Conjunctivitis and blepharitis scores were still elevated in control group A at day 10, but in both B & C had returned to baseline. SEI’s were not detected until Day 21 in a few instances. By Day 37 (sacrifice) 83% of eyes in Control Group A had SEI’s, none of NNVC B Group and 50% of the NNVC C Group had SEI’s. In D Group 100% of untreated eyes had SEI’s and 0/2 of the sham-inoculated eyes had SEI’s
Conclusions: In rabbit experimental model of EKC, NNVC B showed significant effect in mitigating clinical and immune response of EKC and NNVC C showed lesser effect.

Disclosure Code: F,I
Supported with an unrestricted grant  by Nanoviricides Inc.