ALLOKIN-ALPHA - NEW APPROACHES IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC VIRUS EPSTEIN-BARR INFECTIONS

Abstract

Introduction. Epstein-Barr virus causes recurrent infectious mononucleosis-like symptoms. Today it is shown that the poisons of insects and animals are rich sources of antimicrobial substances (peptides) and contain a wide range of active biological compounds. Antimicrobial peptides play an important role in the immune response of the innate immunity of the host in the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Russia has developed an antiviral drug Allokin-alpha on the basis of antimicrobial peptides. The active ingredient of this drug is cytokin-like peptide alloferon. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of allokin-alpha therapy on the amount of EBV DNA in saliva samples and clinical complaints in patients with chronic Epstein-Barr infection (ChEBVI). Material and methods. 59 patients with ChEBVI were examined (45 women and 14 men; mean age 32.52 ± 1.75 years). Patients were examined quantification of DNA Epstein-Barr virus in saliva samples by the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with hybridization-fluorescence detection in “real time” mode. The analytical sensitivity of the test system is 400 copies / ml. Patients were randomized into two groups: group 1 (25 patients) received Allokin-alpha therapy (9 injections of s / c, 1.0 mg every other day); group 2 (33 patients) received Valtrex (500 mg x 2 times / day, by mouth) for two months. Results. 59.67% of patients had negative PCR results after treatment with Allocin-alpha. Only 27.27% of patients had negative PCR results after two months of treatment with Valtrex. In a correlation analysis, a significant effect of the initial number of copies of DNA EBV on the severity of clinical complaints in patients was revealed in the general group ChEBVI. Discussion. Allokin-alpha improves the recognition of virus-infected cells and helps suppress viral replication. Conclusions. Allocin-alpha therapy can be recommended for the treatment of chronic EBVI at a dose of 1 mg subcutaneously every other day with a course dose of at least 9 injections.

Keywords

• epstein-barr virus
• immunity
• peptides
• therapy
• alloferon