Immunoglobulin shows potential against viral conjunctivitis in animal model

Human immunoglobulin may have potential as a treatment for viral conjunctivitis, according to an experimental study by researchers in Pittsburgh. In an animal model of the disease, the antibodies demonstrated antiviral properties against multiple adenoviral serotypes, the authors reported.

Andrea Gambotto, MD, and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine tested the antiviral activity of human immunoglobulin against multiple wild-type and human ocular isolates of adenovirus serotypes both in vitro and in Ad5 New Zealand White rabbits.

The researchers found that 6.25 mg/mL of human immunoglobulin or less neutralized several wild-type adenoviral serotypes in three different epithelial cell lines, and 10 mg/mL or less neutralized 88% of ocular isolates, according to the study.

In addition, immunoglobulin-treated animals showed significantly lower signs of infection compared with control animals that received saline and similar antiviral efficacy compared with cidofovir-treated animals, the authors reported.

All animals tolerated the human immunoglobulin well, displaying no irritation at any dosage, according to a press release from the university.

"Further studies are needed to advance topical immunoglobulin for treatment and prophylaxis of ocular infections," the study authors said.

The study is published in the September issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.