Prevention of Illness from Rhinovirus Infection by a Topical Interferon Inducer

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to observe the effect of a topical interferon inducer in the prevention of rhinovirus infection and illness in 39 young adults. The drug, a substituted propanediamine, was administered as nose drops for two days, beginning one day before challenge with rhinovirus Type 21. Interferon subsequently appeared in nasal washings in a high titer. Among antibody-free persons drug treatment, as compared to placebo, decreased infectivity of the virus, markedly reduced symptomatic illness, and decreased virus shedding if infection occurred. Among subjects with prechallenge antibody, drug treatment further increased resistance to infection, decreased virus recovery, and prevented symptoms. The data show a statistically significant drug-related and interferon-related protection against illness caused by rhinovirus Type 21, a common-cold virus. (N Engl J Med 291:57–61, 1974)